Construction employment increased in 45 states and the District of Columbia in July compared to 2022, and 27 states added construction employees from June to July, according to the Associated General Contractors of America.
“Construction job gains were nearly ubiquitous over the past year,” said Ken Simonson, chief economist, in a statement. “While barely half the states added construction employees in July, that is due to the sector’s ultra-low unemployment rate. There is still plenty of demand, as shown by near-record construction job openings.”
Between July 2022 and July 2023, 45 states and D.C. added construction jobs, while industry employment declined in four states and held steady in Vermont.
Which states added the most construction jobs?
· Texas added the most construction jobs over the year (25,200 jobs or 3.2%)
· California (13,800 jobs, 1.5%)
· Ohio (13,100 jobs, 5.6%)
· Georgia (10,200 jobs, 4.8%).
· Arkansas had the largest percentage increase over 12 months (10.1%, 5,800 jobs)
· Wyoming (7.6%, 1,600 jobs)
· Nebraska (7.4%, 4,300 jobs)
· Oregon (7.2%, 8,400 jobs)
· Kentucky (7.2%, 6,000 jobs).
Which states lost the most construction jobs?
· Colorado lost the most jobs (-3,000 jobs, -1.6%)
· Missouri (-1,200 jobs, -0.9%)
· North Dakota (-400 jobs, -1.6%)
· Maine (-200 jobs, -0.6%)
Highest employment increases June to July
· Texas added the most jobs over the month (4,700 jobs, 0.6%)
· Florida (4,000 jobs, 0.7%)
· Ohio (3,400 jobs, 1.4%)
· New Jersey (2,400 jobs, 1.4%)
· Nebraska (1,900 jobs, 3.1%).
· The largest percentage gain occurred in Nebraska
· Alaska (2.5%, 400 jobs)
· Connecticut (2.3%, 1,400 jobs)
· Kansas (2.1%, 1,400 jobs)
Greatest job losses June to July
· Washington experienced the largest decline in construction jobs in July (-2,500 jobs, -1.0%)
· Pennsylvania (-1,000 jobs, -0.4%)
· Louisiana (-1,000 jobs, -0.7%)
· (-900 jobs, -2.7%.
Source: AGC
