Construction employment increased in 39 states over the past 12 months, the most widespread gains since April 2012, according to an analysis of Labor Department data from the Associated General Contractors of America.
“It is encouraging that three-quarters of the states are now adding construction jobs on a year-over-year basis,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “Employment increases are still intermittent in too many states, however, and nearly all states are far below their pre-recession highs.”
Mississippi led all states with a 19 percent increase (9,300 jobs) in construction employment between October 2012 and October 2013. Connecticut was next, with an increase of 11 percent (5,500 jobs), followed by Louisiana (8.3 percent, 10,700 jobs) and Florida (7.7 percent, 26,600 jobs). Florida was first in the number of construction jobs added, closely followed by California (26,000 jobs, 4.3 percent), then Texas (14,500 jobs, 2.4 percent).
Eleven states and the District of Columbia lost construction jobs over the past 12 months. Indiana had the steepest percentage drop in construction employment for the month (down 9.5 percent or 11,800 jobs), followed by Montana (down 7.3 percent or 1,700 jobs) and D.C. (down 5.0 percent or 700 jobs). Indiana also lost the largest number of jobs over the year, followed by Illinois (down 4,500 jobs or 2.4 percent) and North Carolina (down 3,600 jobs or 2.1 percent).
Between September and October, 32 states added construction jobs, 16 states and D.C. lost construction jobs, and employment was flat in Delaware and Wyoming. Alaska had the steepest percentage gain in construction employment for the month (6 percent, 1,000 jobs), closely followed by Nevada (5.9 percent, 3,100 jobs), then Vermont (4.3 percent, 600 jobs). Florida added the most construction jobs last month (10,500, 2.9 percent), followed by Louisiana (3,400, 2.5 percent) and Nevada.
The worst percentage decline in construction employment last month occurred in Arizona (down 2.7 percent or 3,300 jobs), followed by Hawaii (down 2.4 percent or 800 jobs) and New Jersey (down 2.2 percent or 3,000 jobs). Texas lost the largest number of jobs between September and October (down 4,000 jobs or 0.7 percent), followed by New York (down 3,900 jobs or 1.2 percent), Arizona, New Jersey and Washington (down 2,800 jobs or 1.9 percent).
Welcome as the employment gains are, association officials cautioned that industry’s recovery was still uneven and urged Congress and the administration to enact measures to help repair and upgrade aging water and transportation systems.
