Ohio added 17,700 construction workers in October, a 7.5% increase over last year’s employment number, according to analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America. Arkansas posted the greatest percentage increase at 13.3%, adding 7,700 jobs over the past 12 months.
The two join 38 other states in posting growth in construction jobs from October 2022 to October 2023, and 22 states employed more workers in October than in September.
Association officials said more states would likely have added construction jobs if the pool of available, qualified workers were larger.
“The number of states with construction job gains has been tapering off in recent months,” said Ken Simonson, chief economist, in a statement. “But contractors still report strong demand for workers, suggesting that the slowdown in hiring is due to a lack of qualified workers, not a weakened demand for projects.”
Top states for employment growth
(Oct v. Sept)
- Ohio: 6,000 jobs, 2.4%
- California: 4,500 jobs, 0.5%
- Florida: 2,500 jobs, 0.4%
- Indiana: 2,500 jobs, 1.5%
- Kentucky: 2,400 jobs, 2.6%
(2023 v. 2022)
- California: 21,000 jobs, 2.3%
- Ohio: 17,700 jobs, 7.5%
- Texas: 17,000 jobs, 2.1%
- Louisiana: 12,900 jobs, 10.3%
- Kentucky: 12,300 jobs, 14.9%
Top states for employment losses
(Oct v. Sept)
- Tennessee: -2,900 jobs, -1.9%
- Louisiana: -2,200 jobs, -1.6%
- North Carolina: -2,100 jobs, -1.6%
(2023 v. 2022)
- Colorado: -7,200 jobs, -3.9%
- Missouri: -4,400 jobs, -3.2%
- North Carolina: -4,000 jobs, -1.6%
- Washington: -2,600 jobs, -1.1%
- North Dakota: -2,300 jobs, -8.5%
(Oct v. Sept)
Tennessee -2,900 jobs -1.9%
Louisiana -2,200 jobs -1.6%
North Carolina -2,100 jobs -1.6%
