View web version Vol. 23, No. 17 May 9-12, 2023PPI for inputs rises in April but dips over 12 months; pay in construction tops U.S. median by 18%  Prices show mixed trends in April  The producer price index (PPI) for material and service inputs to new nonresidential construction rose 0.5% from March to April but declined 1.1% year-over-year (y/y), according to Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data posted on Thursday… Read more Construction pay tops U.S. median by 18%  “Half of payroll workers in construction earn more than $54,540,” 18% more than the U.S. median wage of $46,310, “and the top 25% make at least $77,030,” 4.9% higher than the U.S. top quartile base of $73,460, the National Association of Home Builders reported on Tuesday, based on its analysis of May 2022 Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics posted by BLS… Read more Child counts decline in 35 states  In a trend with implications for school and other construction, “Thirty-five states have fewer children than they did five years ago, a situation caused by declining birth rates nationwide, but also by young families migrating across state borders in search of cheaper housing,” Stateline reported on Thursday… Read more Results from RICS-AACE construction surveyFirms reporting declining profit margins outnumbered firms reporting rising margins by 27 percentage points (a net balance reading of -27%) in the first quarter (Q1) 2023 RICS-AACE USA Construction Monitor, covering 60 responses between March 8 and April 21 and posted by RICS on Monday… Read more AGC Highway safety survey closes tonightHighway contractors are invited to complete AGC’s annual highway work zone safety survey by tonight, May 12. Responses will be kept confidential…Read more Census of Construction reminderThe Census Bureau reminded firms in all industries, “The due date for responding to the 2022 Economic Census has passed, but it’s not too late to respond.”.. Read more