As the world continues its widespread vaccination effort, COVID-19 restrictions ease somewhat and the $1-trillion U.S. infrastructure spending package moves forward, forecasters express cautious optimism about the year to come. 

Total construction starts are set to rise 6% in 2022, down from 12% this year, with warehouse and residential sectors continuing to lead the recovery, says Dodge Construction Network.

Civil engineering salaries have risen despite the pandemic, but white males still outearn women, Blacks, Asians and Hispanics

Following a period of strong recovery, construction activity has begun to cool, largely due to emerging COVID-19 variants, high materials prices, a worker shortage and other challenges. 

The drop indicates a slowdown in the construction recovery, ABC reports.

Steel mill and energy prices have increased more than 100%, year over year, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Producer Price Index.