Thirty-five states added construction jobs between September 2015 and September 2016 while construction employment increased in only 21 states and the District of Columbia between August and September, according to analysis of Labor Department data released today by the Associated General Contractors of America.
California added the most construction jobs (30,900 jobs, 4.2 percent) between September 2015 and September 2016. Iowa added the highest percentage of new construction jobs during the past year (13,700 jobs, 17.7 percent).
The District of Columbia and 15 states shed construction jobs over the year. Kansas lost the highest number (-4,700 jobs, -7.7 percent), while Wyoming lost the highest percentage of jobs (-2,100 jobs, -9.2 percent.
New York added the most construction jobs between August and September (5,100 jobs, 1.4 percent), while Arizona added the highest percentage of construction jobs during the past month (2.1 percent, 2,900 jobs).
Construction employment declined in 24 states and held steady in five states month-on-month. Pennsylvania lost the most construction jobs during the month (-3,400 jobs, -1.4 percent), while Wyoming lost the highest percentage of construction jobs between August and September (-4.1 percent, -900 jobs).
Association officials said contractors still report difficulty filling construction jobs, and they urged Congress to complete action on a bill that would help more students gain the skills to qualify for good-paying careers in construction.
“The list of states that are adding construction jobs has been shrinking, yet contractors generally report they are busy now and optimistic about the workload ahead,” said Ken Simonson, chief economist for the association. “Therefore, the lack of employment increases in many states may reflect the difficulty contractors say they are having in finding qualified workers.”