ARLINGTON, VA. — Forty states added construction jobs between July 2018 and July 2019 while construction employment increased in 25 states from June to July, according to an analysis of U.S. Labor Department data released Aug. 16 by the Associated General Contractors of America.
Texas added the most construction jobs over the year (48,400 jobs, 6.6 per cent), followed by California (37,100 jobs, 4.3 per cent), Florida (21,300 jobs, 3.9 per cent) and Arizona (17,400 jobs, 11 per cent).
Wyoming added the highest percentage of construction jobs over 12 months (13.1 per cent, 2,600 jobs), followed by West Virginia (11.7 per cent, 5,000 jobs), North Dakota (11.6 per cent, 3,000 jobs) and Arizona. Construction employment reached a record high in Nebraska, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, Utah and Washington.
Ten states shed construction jobs over the latest 12 months.
Louisiana lost the largest number and percentage of construction jobs (minus 12,100 jobs, down 7.9 per cent). Other states with large job losses include Ohio (down 2,900 jobs, minus 1.3 per cent), South Carolina (down 2,800 jobs, minus 2.7 per cent) and Massachusetts (down 2,500 jobs, minus 1.6 per cent).
Other states with a substantial percentage decline include Vermont (minus 3.3 per cent, down 500 jobs), South Carolina, Connecticut (down 2.6 per cent, minus 1,500 jobs) and Massachusetts.
Texas added the most construction jobs between June and July (6,300 jobs, 0.8 per cent), followed by Utah (2,700 jobs, 2.5 per cent), Washington (1,900 jobs, 0.9 per cent), Virginia (1,700 jobs, 0.8 per cent) and Minnesota (1,600 jobs, 1.2 per cent).
Utah added the highest percentage of construction jobs for the month, followed by Montana (2.1 per cent, 600 jobs), Minnesota, and North Dakota (1.1 per cent, 300 jobs).
Association officials said in a release the new jobs totals indicate there is a need for new federal investments in career and technical education programs, along with immigration reform.
“Demand for projects, and the workers to build them, shows no sign of letting up in most states, and contractors continue to increase headcount when they can find qualified workers,” stated chief economist Ken Simonson.
“But job openings at the end of June were the highest ever for June, suggesting that contractors are struggling to find all the workers they need in many states.”
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