Forty one states and the District of Columbia added construction jobs between October 2018 and October 2019, while construction employment increased in 28 states from September to October, according to the Associated General Contractors of America.
“Construction employment continues to experience robust growth in most parts of the country,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “Many firms appear to be overcoming the challenge of low unemployment rates and strong demand for labor by increasing compensation levels and investing more in training people with relatively little experience in construction.”
Texas added the most construction jobs over the year (51,400 jobs, 6.9 percent), followed by California (34,400 jobs, 4.0 percent), and Florida (25,300 jobs, 4.6 percent). Nevada added the highest percentage of construction jobs since last October, followed by New Mexico (11.3 percent, 5,300 jobs), Arizona, and New Hampshire (8.1 percent, 2,200 jobs).
Eight states shed construction jobs over the last 12 months, while construction employment was flat in Colorado. Louisiana lost the largest number and percentage of construction jobs (-9,700 jobs, -6.4 percent). Other states with large job losses include Ohio (-8,600 jobs, -3.9 percent), and Tennessee (-3,800 jobs, -2.9 percent).
Florida added the most jobs between September and October (4,600 jobs, 0.8 percent), followed by California (2,100 jobs, 0.2 percent), and Nevada (1,900 jobs, 1.9 percent). Montana (2.1 percent, 600 jobs) and Rhode Island (2.1 percent, 400 jobs) added the highest percentage of jobs for the month.
Source: AGC
