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
| Jan 29, 2014
Hotel, retail, recreation sectors to lead growth in 2014
AIA's Consensus Construction Forecast, a survey of the nation’s leading construction forecasters, is projecting that spending will see a 5.8% increase in 2014, led by the hotel, retail, and amusement/recreation sectors.
| Jan 29, 2014
Notre Dame to expand football stadium in largest project in school history
The $400 million Campus Crossroads Project will add more than 750,000 sf of academic, student life, and athletic space in three new buildings attached to the school's iconic football stadium.
| Jan 28, 2014
White Paper: How metal buildings deliver long-term value to schools
A new white paper from Star Building Systems outlines the benefits of metal buildings for public and private school building projects.
| Jan 28, 2014
First Look: BIG's Honeycomb building for Bahamas resort [slideshow]
BIG + HKS + MDA have unveiled the design for the new Honeycomb building and adjacent plaza in The Bahamas – a 175,000-sf residential facility with a private pool on each balcony.
| Jan 28, 2014
2014 predictions for skyscraper construction: More twisting towers, mega-tall projects, and 'superslim' designs
Experts from the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat release their 2014 construction forecast for the worldwide high-rise industry.
| Jan 28, 2014
16 awe-inspiring interior designs from around the world [slideshow]
The International Interior Design Association released the winners of its 4th Annual Global Excellence Awards. Here's a recap of the winning projects.
| Jan 28, 2014
Big Ten Conference opens swanky HQ and museum [slideshow]
The new mixed-use headquarters includes a museum, broadcast studios, conference facilities, office spaces, and, oh yeah, a Brazilian steakhouse.
| Jan 27, 2014
A climber's dream: Rock climbing hall planned near Iran's highest peak
Forget the rock climbing wall. A developer in Iran is building a rock climbing hall. That's right, an entire building dedicated to the sport, with more than 48,000 sf of program space.
| Jan 24, 2014
First look: Foster + Partners' new home for Yale School of Management [slideshow]
Edward P. Evans Hall, the new home of the Yale School of Management, has opened for business. The 242,000-sf facility was designed by Foster + Partners, with Gruzen Samton as architect of record.
| Jan 24, 2014
Reed Expansion Index predicts widespread economic improvement for the year
Reed's December Expansion Index stood at 1.48, indicating overall construction in the United States is expected to grow over the next 12 months.
