Construction employment declined in 324 out of 337 metropolitan areas during the past year, along with a decrease in construction spending, according to an analysis of federal figures by the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC of America).

Spending on construction projects dropped by more than $137 billion to a total of $900 billion in November, a six-year low.

“Private nonresidential construction is in free fall, with every category except private power construction down sharply compared to a year ago,” said Ken Simonson, the AGC of America’s chief economist, in a release. “Those cuts are causing layoffs in virtually every part of the country for tens of thousands of skilled construction workers.”

Iowa reported 67,100 construction jobs in November 2009, down 9,100, or 12 percent, from the 76,200 construction jobs reported a year earlier. Of the 337 U.S. metropolitan areas, Des Moines-West Des Moines ranked No. 209 in terms of percentage change of construction jobs from November 2008 to November 2009. The city reported 14,400 jobs in November 2009, down 2,100 or 13 percent from the 16,500 reported a year ago.

Cedar Rapids reported 8,400 construction jobs, which was down 600, or 7 percent, from 9,000 jobs a year earlier. The city ranked 76th in terms of percentage change. See the full list.

Only six metropolitan areas had an increase in construction jobs, and of those only two areas had gains of more than 100 jobs: Harrisburg-Carlisle, Pa., and Tulsa, Okla. The only other cities reporting gains were Anderson, Ind., Columbus, Ind., Bismarck, N.D., and Fargo, N.D. The largest percentage loss of all the metropolitan areas was reported in El Centro, Calif., with a 36 percent decline in construction workers,.