Denver, CO – Thirty-four 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. 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.
“Most of the construction employment gains are coming as firms in many states work to keep pace with growing demand,” said Ken Simonson, chief economist for the association. “In other states, however, construction employment is being held back by either a lack of work where demand is weak or a lack of workers where demand exceeds the pool of qualified workers.”
Colorado ranked fifth in the nation in construction employment growth over the past 12 months by adding 12,800 jobs, an 8.3% gain. California added the most construction jobs (35,100 jobs, 4.7 percent) during the past year.
Fourteen states shed construction jobs between November 2015 and November 2016 with New York reporting the biggest loss of construction jobs (-6,400 jobs, -1.7 percent), followed by Kansas (-3,600 jobs, -5.9 percent), Alabama (-3,600 jobs, -4.4 percent), Connecticut (-2,200 jobs, -3.8 percent) and Kentucky (-2,200 jobs, -2.9 percent).
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.”
Image: State Employment Map, courtesy of the Associated General Contractors of America
