Construction Employment Increases in 39 States Since May 2018

June 28, 2019

Thirty-nine states and the District of Columbia added construction jobs between May 2018 and May 2019, while construction employment increased in 31 states and D.C. from April to May, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC). 

“Construction demand remains strong, and contractors increased their workforce in most states over the past year, yet the record number of job openings at the end of April implies contractors would add even more workers if they could,” said chief economist Ken Simonson. “With the unemployment rate now near a 50-year low, it is more challenging than ever for contractors to hire and retain qualified employees.”

Texas added the most construction jobs over the year (35,000 jobs, 4.8 percent) followed by California (32,200 jobs, 11,1 percent) and Nevada (15,200 jobs, 17.2 percent). West Virginia added the highest percentage of construction jobs over 12 months (26.5 percent, 9,900 jobs) followed by Nevada, Arizona, and North Dakota (10.9 percent, 2,800 jobs). 

Ten states shed construction jobs over the last 12 months, while employment was unchanged in Kansas. Louisiana lost the largest number and percentage of construction jobs (-9,100 jobs, -6.0 percent). Other states with large job losses included South Carolina (-3,100 jobs, -3.0 percent), Maryland (-2,400 jobs, -1.5 percent), and Mississippi (-1,200 jobs, -1.0 percent).

California added the most construction jobs between April and May (12,800 jobs, 1.5 percent) followed by Florida (5,500 jobs, 1.0 percent), Texas (3,300 jobs, 0.4 percent), and Washington (2,200 jobs, 1.0 percent). Employment decreased from April to May in 17 states and was unchanged in Alaska and Idaho. New York lost the most jobs (-5,500 jobs, -1.3 percent) followed by Massachusetts (2,300 jobs, -1.4 percent), and Illinois (-2,000 jobs, -0.9 percent). 

Source: AGC