Employment numbers for construction in September produced a mixed bag as 28 states added jobs, but 21 states lost construction jobs compared to August. Compared to September 2022, 43 states employed more construction workers in September 2023.
Officials with the Associated General Contractors of America said the month-over-month dips in construction employment in some parts of the country were likely caused by firms struggling to find enough workers to replace retiring ones amid labor shortages.
“The construction industry continues to add employees nearly everywhere on a year-over-year basis,” said Ken Simonson, chief economist. “But contractors are struggling to fill openings quickly, which means many states experience short-term dips in employment from month to month.”
What states added the most construction jobs in September?
Compared to September 2022:
- Texas added 19,900 jobs, up 2.5%
- California, 14,100 jobs, up 1.5%
- Ohio, 12,700 jobs, up 5.4%
- Louisiana, 10,700 jobs, up 8.2%
- Georgia, 10,700 jobs, up 5.0%
- Wyoming, up 11.1% with 2,300 jobs
- Arkansas, up 10.4% with 6,100 jobs)
- West Virginia, up 9.3% with 2,800 jobs
- Kentucky, up 8.8% with 7,400 jobs
Compared to August:
- Oregon added 3,200 jobs, up 2.6%
- Tennessee, up 2,600 jobs or 1.7%
- California, up 2,200 jobs or 0.2%
- Oklahoma, up 2,000 jobs or 2.4%
- Rhode Island, up 2.8% or 600 jobs
- Oregon, up 2.2% or 1,800 jobs
What states lost the most construction jobs in September?
Compared to September 2022:
- Missouri lost 6,500 jobs, down 4.6%
- Colorado, down 4,200 jobs or 2.3%
- North Carolina, down 2,300 jobs or 0.9%
- North Dakota, down 1,400 jobs or 5.4%
- Virginia, down 1,300 jobs or 0.6%
Compared to August:
- Virginia lost 3,800 jobs, down 1.8%
- Missouri, down 2,500 jobs or 1.8%
- Arizona, down 2,300 jobs or 1.1%
- New Jersey, down 1,600 jobs or 1.0%
Commenting on the association’s efforts to recruit new people into the industry, CEO Stephen E. Sandherr said in a statement:
“The industry is working hard to bring in a new and more diverse generation of construction professionals. Finding effective ways to recruit from under-represented communities will help construction firms keep pace with growing demand for construction.”
