After experiencing heavy job losses during the recession, the construction industry is building up its headcount again, according to a new study tracking labor trends in the U.S. conducted by CareerBuilder and Economic Modeling Specialists Intl. (EMSI).

Since 2011, the U.S. has added more than 187,000 construction jobs, an increase of 2 percent. Additionally, housing-related industries outside of construction have created more than 59,000 additional housing supply chain jobs since 2011, an increase of 3 percent.

The construction industry now employs about 7.8 million people and the housing supply chain now employs about 1.8 million people.

“Several industry segments closely tied to the housing sector have experienced encouraging job growth over the last 12 to 18 months as home prices and sales inch up, and the economy improves,” said Matt Ferguson, CEO of CareerBuilder. “While some segments may still be trailing pre-recession employment levels and may not fully recover jobs lost, we're seeing signs of a rebound in everything from construction and mortgage banking to home furnishing stores.”

Job creation from 2011 to 2013 in specific segments within the housing supply chain include:

• Mortgage and non-mortgage loan brokers: Added 19,317 jobs, 30 percent growth; 84,759 people currently employed
• Home centers and other home furnishing stores: Added 23,849 jobs, 3 percent growth; 823,496 people currently employed.
• Building materials dealers: Added 11,305 jobs, 4 percent growth; 317,987 people currently employed.
• Hardware, paint and wallpaper stores: Added 4,062 jobs, 2 percent growth; 184,017 people currently employed.
• Upholstered household furniture manufacturing: Added 1,828 jobs, 4 percent growth; 53,838 people currently employed.

The study uses EMSI's labor market database, which pulls from more than 90 national and state employment resources and includes detailed information on employees and self-employed workers.