Forty states added construction jobs between November 2016 and November 2017, while 39 states added construction jobs between October and November, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of Labor Department data released today. Association officials noted that firms in most states are adding jobs amid expectations that demand will continue to grow thanks to new tax cuts and regulatory reforms.
"There were robust construction gains in most parts of the country as the economy continues to expand," said Stephen E. Sandherr, Chief Executive Officer for the association. "Demand should continue to grow as newly enacted tax cuts and regulatory reforms stimulate even more widespread economic growth."
California added the most construction jobs (48,400 jobs, 6.2%) during the past year. Other states adding a high number of new construction jobs for the past 12 months include Florida (41,800 jobs, 8.7%); Texas (23,900 jobs, 3.4 percent); New York (12,600 jobs, 3.4 percent) and Pennsylvania (12,000 jobs, 4.6 percent). Nevada (13.8 percent, 10,900 jobs) added the highest percentage of new construction jobs during the past year, followed by Rhode Island (13 percent, 2,400 jobs); New Hampshire (10 percent, 2,600 jobs); Oregon (9.7 percent, 9,100 jobs) and Florida.
Ten states shed construction jobs between November 2016 and November 2017 while construction employment was unchanged in the District of Columbia. Missouri lost the highest number of construction jobs (-6,500 jobs, -5.3%), followed by Iowa (-6,100 jobs, -7.5%); North Carolina (-3,100 jobs, -1.5%) and North Dakota (-1,600 jobs, -4.8%). Iowa lost the highest percentage for the year, followed by Missouri; North Dakota; Montana (-3.5%, 1,000 jobs) and South Dakota (-1.7%, -400 jobs).
Among the 39 states that added construction jobs between October and November, Texas added more than any other state (8,200 jobs, 1.1%), followed by Florida (6,200 jobs, 1.2%); New York (5,300 jobs, 1.4%); Indiana (4,900 jobs, 3.6%) and Pennsylvania (3,400 jobs, 1.4%). Alaska added the highest percentage of construction jobs for the month (4.5%, 700 jobs), followed by Indiana; Nebraska (2.6%, 1,300 jobs); Rhode Island (2.5%, 500 jobs) and West Virginia (2.5%, 800 jobs).
Eleven states lost construction jobs between October and November, while construction employment was unchanged in D.C. Maryland lost the most construction jobs for the month (-1,900 jobs, -1.1%), followed by Oklahoma (-1,400 jobs, -1.7%) and Connecticut (-1,300 jobs, -2.2%). Vermont (-3.2%, -500 jobs) lost the highest percentage of construction jobs, followed by Wyoming (-2.9%, -600 jobs) and Montana (-2.2%, -600 jobs).
Association officials noted that many construction firms have high expectations for the coming year. They said that as they prepare an annual construction industry outlook the association and Sage Construction and Real Estate will release on January 3rd, it is clear many firms expect the administration's efforts to reduce needless regulatory burdens and newly enacted tax cuts will further improve market conditions.
"This is one of the best business climates many firms have experienced in over a decade," Sandherr said. "While Washington needs to address infrastructure funding, workforce shortages and multi-employer retirement reforms, 2018 looks to be a strong year for the industry."
View the state employment data by rank and state. View the state employment map.
Related Stories
Codes and Standards | Feb 21, 2022
More bad news on sea level rise for U.S. coastal areas
A new government report predicts sea levels in the U.S. of 10 to 12 inches higher by 2050, with some major cities on the East and Gulf coasts experiencing damaging floods even on sunny days.
Wood | Feb 18, 2022
$2 million mass timber design competition: Building to Net-Zero Carbon (entries due March 30!)
To promote construction of tall mass timber buildings in the U.S., the Softwood Lumber Board (SLB) and USDA Forest Service (USDA) have joined forces on a competition to showcase mass timber’s application, commercial viability, and role as a natural climate solution.
University Buildings | Feb 17, 2022
A vacated school in St. Louis is turned into a center where suppliers exchange ideas
In 1871, The Carondelet School, designed by Frederick William Raeder, opened to educate more than 400 children of laborers and manufacturers in St. Louis. The building is getting a second lease on life, as it has undergone a $2 million renovation by goBRANDgo!, a marketing firm for the manufacturing and industrial sectors.
Data Centers | Feb 15, 2022
Data center boom: How two AEC firms plan to meet unprecedented demand for data center facilities
Ramboll's Jim Fox and EYP Mission Critical Facilities' Rick Einhorn discuss the recent joining of their companies at a time of unprecedented data center demand. BD+C's John Caulfield leads the discussion with Fox, Ramboll's Managing Director for the Americas, and Einhorn, EYP Mission Critical Facilities' Managing Director.
Resiliency | Feb 15, 2022
Design strategies for resilient buildings
LEO A DALY's National Director of Engineering Kim Cowman takes a building-level look at resilient design.
Products and Materials | Feb 14, 2022
How building owners and developers can get ahead of the next supply chain disaster
Global supply chain interruptions that started at the very beginning of the pandemic are still with us and compounding every step of the way. Below are a few proven tips on how to avert some of the costly fallout should we be faced with similar commercial disasters at any time in the future.
Healthcare Facilities | Feb 10, 2022
Respite for the weary healthcare worker
The pandemic has shined a light on the severe occupational stress facing healthcare workers. Creating restorative hospital environments can ease their feelings of anxiety and burnout while improving their ability to care for patients.
Sponsored | BD+C University Course | Jan 30, 2022
Optimized steel deck design
This course provides an overview of structural steel deck design and the ways to improve building performance and to reduce total-project costs.
Laboratories | Jan 28, 2022
3 must-know strategies for developers in today’s life sciences industry
While the life sciences industry had been steadily growing, this growth exploded when the pandemic arrived—and there is no indication that this lightning-fast pace will slow down any time soon.
M/E/P Systems | Jan 27, 2022
Top 5 building HVAC system problems and how to fix them
When your HVAC system was new, it was designed to keep the indoor environment comfortable, functional, and safe. Over time, that system can drift out of alignment, leading to wasted resources, excessive energy consumption, and reduced occupant comfort.