Texas has added 30,500 construction jobs in the 12 months between June 2022 and June 2023, an increase of 3.9 percent, according to analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America. Compared to May, the Lone Star State added 11,000 jobs, up 1.4 percent.
Construction employment increased in 45 states in June from a year earlier, and 33 states added construction jobs from May to June, according to AGC. Association officials said the job gains were welcome, but that widespread construction labor shortages mean many firms would likely have hired even more workers if they could find qualified candidates.
“Unlike some other parts of the economy, construction is showing no letup in activity,” said Ken Simonson, chief economist, in a statement. “But with an industry unemployment rate of only 3.6 percent, contractors in many states have had a tough time in recent months finding enough workers to execute all of their projects.”
Between June 2022 and June 2023, 45 states added construction jobs, while industry employment declined in five states and held steady in the District of Columbia.
For the month, construction employment increased in 33 states, declined in 15 states and D.C., and was flat in Delaware and Massachusetts.
Top states for employment gains
Texas added the most construction jobs over the year (30,500 jobs or 3.9 percent), followed by
- New York (10,100 jobs, 2.6 percent)
- Louisiana (9,700 jobs, 7.5 percent)
- California (9,300 jobs, 1.0 percent)
Arkansas had the largest percentage increase (11.8 percent, 6,700 jobs), followed by
- Kentucky (8.0 percent, 6,600 jobs)
- Nebraska (7.8 percent, 4,400 jobs)
- Louisiana (7.5 percent)
- Oregon (7.5 percent, 8,600 jobs)
Texas added the most jobs over the month (11,000 jobs, 1.4 percent), followed by
- California (6,000 jobs, 0.7 percent)
- Florida (4,000 jobs, 0.7 percent)
- Maryland (3,900 jobs, 2.4 percent)
- Indiana (3,800 jobs, 2.4 percent).
The largest percentage gain occurred in South Dakota (4.3 percent, 1,100 jobs), followed by
- Mississippi (4.1 percent, 1,900 jobs)
- Alaska (2.5 percent, 400 jobs)
- Maryland (2.4 percent)
- Indiana (2.4 percent)
Top states for employment drops
Missouri lost the most jobs (-1,800 jobs, -1.3 percent), followed by
- Colorado (-1,500 jobs, -0.8 percent)
- North Dakota (-500 jobs, -1.9 percent)
- Connecticut (-500 jobs, -0.8 percent)
- Vermont (-300 jobs, -1.9 percent).
Virginia experienced the largest decline in construction jobs in June (-3,200 jobs, -1.5 percent), followed by
- North Carolina (-2,900 jobs, -1.2 percent)
- New York (-2,100 jobs, -0.5 percent).
Iowa had the largest percentage loss for the month (-2.0 percent, -1,700 jobs), followed by D.C. (-1.9 percent, -300 jobs).
Source: AGC
