ARLINGTON, VA. — U.S. construction employment increased in the vast majority of states in August from a year earlier, while 27 states and the District of Columbia added construction jobs between July and August, according to a new analysis of federal employment data released by the Associated General Contractors of America.
Between August 2023 and August 2024, 39 states added construction jobs, 10 states and D.C. shed jobs, and employment was unchanged in Georgia. Texas added the most construction employees (36,600 jobs or 4.4 per cent), followed by Florida (36,200 jobs, 5.7 per cent), Michigan (15,100 jobs, 7.9 per cent) and Nevada (12,700 jobs, 11.2 per cent).
Alaska had the largest percentage gain over 12 months (17.8 per cent, 3,100 jobs), followed by Hawaii (12.4 per cent, 4,700 jobs), Nevada and Montana (10.1 per cent, 3,700 jobs).
Maryland lost the most construction jobs during the past 12 months (minus 4,800 jobs, 3.0 per cent), followed by New York (down 4,700 jobs, 1.2 per cent), Oregon (down 2,400 jobs, 2.1 per cent), Colorado (2,400 jobs, 1.3 per cent) and Minnesota (2,000 jobs, 1.5 per cent).
For the month, industry employment increased in 27 states and D.C., declined in 20 states, and was unchanged in Alaska, Kansas and Maine. Texas added the most jobs (8,300 jobs or 1.0 per cent).
“Exposing more people to construction as a career opportunity will boost employment in many parts of the country,” Jeffrey Shoaf, the association’s chief executive officer, said in a statement. “Boosting funding for construction education and training will put more people into high-paying construction careers.”
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