Forty-two US states added construction jobs between May 2016 and May 2017 amid growing demand for construction services, while 25 states and the District of Columbia lost construction jobs between April and May as firms struggle to find enough workers, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of Labor Department data released today.
California added the most construction jobs (38,900 jobs, 5.0 percent) during the past year, while Rhode Island added the highest percentage of new construction jobs during the past year (12.8 percent, 2,300 jobs).
Eight states and the District of Columbia shed construction jobs between May 2016 and May 2017. Missouri lost the largest number of construction jobs (-4,100 jobs, -3.4 percent), while the District of Columbia lost the highest percentage for the year (-7.6 percent, -1,200 jobs).
Pennsylvania lost more construction jobs between April and May than any other state (-4,300 jobs, -1.8 percent), and Wyoming lost the highest percentage of construction jobs for the month (-5.1 percent, -1,100 jobs).
Of the 22 states that added construction jobs between April and May, Louisiana had the largest numerical and percentage increases (5,000 jobs, 3.4 percent), followed by Maryland (4,800 jobs, 3.0 percent).
Association officials said Washington officials can help address growing labor shortages in the construction industry by putting in place measures that expand training opportunities for students and young adults. This includes expanding investments in secondary career and technical education, making it easier to establish apprenticeship training programs in all market types and allowing for more charter schools and career academies that focus on construction skills.