Forty-two states and the District of Columbia added construction jobs between April 2015 and April 2016 while construction employment increased in only 23 states between March and April, according to analysis of Labor Department data released by the Associated General Contractors of America.
Association officials said the slowdown in monthly job growth was likely driven by mild winter weather that allowed firms to start their spring hiring season early, but cautioned that many firms will have a hard time finding qualified workers as demand grows.
“The slowdown for the month may reflect the elevated hiring that occurred earlier this year in many states that experienced mild winters,” said Ken Simonson, chief economist for the association. “With construction employment having declined for the year in only six oil- or coal-intensive states, the industry appears to have plenty of work ahead and should resume hiring if firms can find enough qualified workers.”
California added the most construction jobs (49,800 jobs, 7.0 percent) between April 2015 and April 2016. North Dakota lost the highest percent and total number of construction jobs (12.9 percent, 4,600 jobs).