Analysis: Most states experienced construction employment growth
Construction firms added jobs in 40 states over the past 12 months and in 30 states between April and May of this year, according to the Associated General Contractors (AGC) of America, which did an analysis of Labor Department data.
Association officials say the employment gains help but that construction employment remains below peak levels in every state except North Dakota.
“With demand for construction growing in most states, many firms are slowly rebuilding their depleted payrolls,” says Stephen Sandherr, AGC of America’s CEO. “But if overall economic growth slows, construction employment could backslide in many states.”
Nevada led all states in percentage gains in construction employment (12.5 percent) between May 2013 and May 2014. Other states adding a high percentage of construction jobs over the 12-month period were Florida (9.8 percent), Minnesota (9.7 percent) and Kansas (8.9 percent). California added the most new construction jobs (37,000) over the 12-month period.
Ten states lost construction jobs during the 12-month period. West Virginia lost the most jobs (2,200) over that stretch.
According to AGC of America, Minnesota added the most jobs (3,800) between April and May of this year, followed by New York, Colorado and Pennsylvania. Nineteen states lost construction jobs over that period, with Florida losing the most (6,100).