Construction jobs increase in 30 states in past month

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Construction employment increased in 30 states from May to June, according to an analysis of Labor Department data by the Associated General Contractors of America, while 42 states added construction jobs between June 2018 and June 2019.

“Construction demand remains robust across most states, and contractors continue to add workers when they can find them,” AGC chief economist Ken Simonson said in a news release. “But contractors are struggling to find all the workers they need in many states, as shown the historically high number job openings at the end of May.”

During the past year, California added the most construction jobs at 40,300, while West Virginia added the highest percentage (14.1%). Texas (39,500 jobs), Florida (25,800), Arizona (18,200) and Georgia (12,700) also added a significant number of jobs, with construction employment reaching record highs in Colorado, Oklahoma, Oregon and Texas.

South Carolina added 1,300 jobs, a 1.3% percentage increase, for the month and 900 jobs, or an 0.9% increase, for the year. The gain from May to June was sixth-best in the country.

Louisiana led eight states losing construction jobs during the last 12 months with 12,300, or 8%. Other states with large job losses in the industry included Massachusetts (3,400), Maryland (2,200), Connecticut (1,000) and Montana (800).

California also added the most construction jobs between May and June with 11,900, or 1.3%. Texas (6,100), Georgia (2,000), Florida (1,900) and Arizona (1,800) also added a large number of jobs, with Wyoming seeing the highest percentage increase at 3.7%.

Construction employment dropped from May to June in 17 states and remained flat in Alaska, Washington, D.C., New York and Rhode Island. Nevada suffered the largest number (4,200) and percentage (4.1%) of job losses for the month. Other states with large losses included Louisiana (1,800), Connecticut (1,100), Illinois (900) and Massachusetts (900).