Construction employment in November remained below pre-pandemic levels in 35 states and the District of Columbia even though 31 states and D.C. added construction jobs from October to November, according to anĀ analysisĀ by the Associated General Contractors of America of government employment data released today. Association officials urged federal officials to swiftly renew a program to enable firms to keep workers on their payrolls while the pandemic is pushing back the start date for many projects.
āAn increase in project cancellations and postponements is forcing nonresidential contractors to lay off workers as they complete projects started before the pandemic and firms exhaust their Paycheck Protection Program loans,ā said Ken Simonson, the associationās chief economist. āDespite strong demand for single-family homebuilding and remodeling, overall industry employment is likely to shrink in more states in the absence of federal assistance.ā
Seasonally adjusted construction employment in November was lower than in Februaryāthe last month before the pandemic forced many contractors to suspend workāin 37 states, Simonson noted. New York lost the most construction jobs over the nine-month period (-39,700 jobs or -9.7%), followed by Texas (-37,200 jobs, -4.7%). Vermont experienced the largest percentage loss (-24.5%, -3,600 jobs), followed by North Dakota (-13.9%, -4,100 jobs).
Only 15 states and the District of Columbia added construction jobs from February to November. Virginia added the most jobs and highest percentage (11,800 jobs, 5.8%), followed by Utah (5,800 jobs, 5.1%).
Construction employment decreased from October to November in 17 states, increased in 31 states and D.C., and was unchanged in Maine and Nebraska. California had the largest loss of construction jobs from October to November (-5,800 jobs or -0.7%), followed by New Jersey (-3,800 jobs, -2.5%) and Nevada (-3,700 jobs, -3.9%). Nevada had the largest percentage decline, followed by South Dakota (-3.8%, -1,000 jobs).
Texas added the most construction jobs over the month (7,500 jobs, 1.0%), followed by Pennsylvania (4,300 jobs, 1.7%). Delaware had the largest percentage gain for the month (3.8%, 800 jobs), followed by Utah (2.6%, 3,000 jobs).
Association officials urged members of Congress to promptly pass a renewal of the Paycheck Protection Program, which saved thousands of construction workers from layoffs earlier in the year. They added that the legislation should also make clear that Congress did not intend for firms to incur tax liability when using the loans as intended.
āWhile the pandemic is causing more and more construction to be canceled or postponed, it is imperative that Congress renew the loan program that will keep contractors from shutting their doors and workers from losing their jobs,ā said Stephen E. Sandherr, the associationās chief executive officer. āIn addition, it is vital that Congress stop the Treasury from playing āgotchaā with firms that rightly expected their loans to be treated as nontaxable.ā
View state employment February-NovemberĀ dataĀ andĀ rankings; and October-NovemberĀ rankings.
Related Stories
Market Data | Oct 19, 2020
Lower-cost metros continue to outperform pricey gateway markets, Yardi Matrix reports
But year-over-year multifamily trendline remained negative at -0.3%, unchanged from July.
Market Data | Oct 16, 2020
5 must reads for the AEC industry today: October 16, 2020
Princeton's new museum and Miami's yacht-inspired luxury condos.
Market Data | Oct 15, 2020
6 must reads for the AEC industry today: October 15, 2020
Chicago's Bank of America Tower opens and altering facilities for a post-COVID-19 world.
Market Data | Oct 14, 2020
6 must reads for the AEC industry today: October 14, 2020
Thailand's new Elephant Museum and the Art Gallery of New South Wales receives an expansion.
Market Data | Oct 13, 2020
5 must reads for the AEC industry today: October 13, 2020
Miami Beach Convention Center renovation completes and guidance offered for K-12 schools to support students with asthma.
Market Data | Oct 12, 2020
Majority of contractors fear long-term business implications of COVID-19, according to Construction Executive survey
While many contractors have not yet seen drastic impacts to their business, as construction was in many areas considered an āessentialā service, the long-term implications are concerning.
Market Data | Oct 12, 2020
6 must reads for the AEC industry today: October 12, 2020
4 challenges of realizing BIM's value for an owner and Florida office property is designed for a post-Covid world.
Market Data | Oct 8, 2020
6 must reads for the AEC industry today: October 8, 2020
The first rendering of the National Medal of Honor Museum is unveiled and seven urgent changes needed to fix senior living.
Market Data | Oct 7, 2020
6 must reads for the AEC industry today: October 7, 2020
Water-filled windows' effect on energy and construction begins on PGA of America HQ.
Market Data | Oct 6, 2020
Construction sector adds 26,000 workers in September but nonresidential jobs stall
Many commercial firms experience project cancellations.