Thirty-four US states added construction jobs between November 2015 and November 2016 while construction employment increased in 29 states and the District of Columbia during the past month, according to an analysis of Labor Department data released today by the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC).
Association officials said even as firms in many starts are adding jobs amid growing residential and public sector construction investments, the number of states adding construction jobs for the year has declined compared to a year ago.
California added the most construction jobs (35,100 jobs, 4.7 percent) during the past year. Nevada (11.7 percent, 8,400 jobs) added the highest percentage of new construction jobs during the past year. New York lost the highest number of construction jobs (-6,400 jobs, -1.7 percent) during the same period.
California also added the most construction jobs between October and November (3,900 jobs, 0.5 percent). Montana (8.5 percent, 2,100 jobs) added the highest percentage of construction jobs during the past month.
Arizona shed more construction jobs than any other state (-3,700 jobs, -2.7 percent) between October and November. Connecticut (-1,800 jobs, -3.1 percent) lost the highest percentage of construction jobs during the period.
Association officials said construction employment will benefit if the incoming administration and Congress make infrastructure projects a top priority early next year. They added that many other parts of the economy stand to benefit from increased investments in civil works projects that will lower shipping costs, increase business productivity and lower costs of many goods for consumers. Any delays in enacting new infrastructure investments could undermine broader economic growth, they cautioned.
“It is not just construction firms that stand to benefit from new the President-elect’s promise to rebuild roads, bridges and other public works,” Stephen E. Sandherr, chief executive officer for the association, said. “These new investments will make our entire economy more competitive, prosperous and successful.”