Construction employment in July remained below the levels reached before the pre-pandemic peak in February 2020 in 36 states, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of government employment data released today. Association officials said construction employment would benefit from new federal infrastructure investments and urged the House to quickly pass the bipartisan infrastructure bill.
“This data shows that full recovery remains elusive for construction in most states,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “In fact, the fast-spreading COVID-19 delta variant may make it harder to find employees eligible to work on restricted sites and may also depress demand if some owners defer projects.”
From February 2020—the month before the pandemic caused project shutdowns and cancellations—to last month, construction employment increased in only 14 states and was flat in the District of Columbia. Texas shed the most construction jobs over the period (-56,200 jobs or -7.2%), followed by New York (-52,600 jobs, -12.9%) and California (-35,100 jobs, -3.8%). Louisiana recorded the largest percentage loss (-15.3%, -21,000 jobs), followed by Wyoming (-13.5%, -3,100 jobs) and New York.
Of the states that added construction jobs since February 2020, Utah added the most (7,900 jobs, 6.9%), followed by North Carolina (5,700, 2.4%) and Idaho (4,400 jobs, 8.2%). The largest percentage gain was in Idaho, followed by South Dakota (7.5%, 1,800 jobs) and Utah.
From June to July construction employment decreased in 18 states, increased in 30, and was unchanged in Kansas, Tennessee, and D.C. The largest decline over the month occurred in Colorado, which lost 1,600 construction jobs or 0.9%, followed by a loss of 1,500 jobs each in Oklahoma (-1.9%), Texas (-0.2%), and Pennsylvania (0.6%). The steepest percentage declines since June occurred in New Hampshire (-2.2%, -600 jobs), followed by 1.9% losses in Oklahoma and Arkansas (-1,000 jobs).
North Carolina added the most construction jobs between June and July (4,300 jobs, 1.8%), followed by New Jersey (4,000 jobs, 2.7%) and Illinois (3,700 jobs, 1.7%). The largest percentage gains were in New Jersey and Connecticut (2.7%, 1,500 jobs), followed by South Carolina (2.4%, 2,600 jobs).
Association officials warned that construction employment was being impacted in many parts of the country because of supply chain challenges and growing market uncertainty caused by the resurgent Delta variant. They said new federal infrastructure investments would provide a needed boost in demand and help put more people to work in construction careers.
“New federal infrastructure investments will help put more people to work in high-paying construction careers,” said Stephen E. Sandherr, the association’s chief executive officer. “The House can help put Americans back to work by immediately approving the infrastructure measure that passed the Senate with broad, bipartisan support.”
View state February 2020-July 2021 data and rankings, 1-month rankings.c
Related Stories
Market Data | Mar 26, 2021
Construction employment in February trails pre-pandemic level in 44 states
Soaring costs, supply-chain problems jeopardize future jobs.
Market Data | Mar 24, 2021
Architecture billings climb into positive territory after a year of monthly declines
AIA’s ABI score for February was 53.3 compared to 44.9 in January.
Market Data | Mar 22, 2021
Construction employment slips in 225 metros from January 2020 to January 2021
Rampant cancellations augur further declines ahead.
Market Data | Mar 18, 2021
Commercial Construction Contractors’ Outlook lifts on rising revenue expectations
Concerns about finding skilled workers, material costs, and steel tariffs linger.
Market Data | Mar 16, 2021
Construction employment in January lags pre-pandemic mark in 42 states
Canceled projects, supply-chain woes threaten future jobs.
Market Data | Mar 15, 2021
Rising materials prices and supply chain disruptions are hurting many construction firms
The same firms are already struggling to cope with pandemic impacts.
Market Data | Mar 11, 2021
Soaring materials costs, supply-chain problems, and project cancellations continue to impact construction industry
Costs and delayed deliveries of materials, parts, and supplies are vexing many contractors.
Market Data | Mar 8, 2021
Construction employment declines by 61,000 in February
Association officials urge congress and Biden administration to focus on new infrastructure funding.
Market Data | Mar 2, 2021
Construction spending rises in January as private nonresidential sector stages rare gain
Private nonresidential market shrinks 10% since January 2020 with declines in all 11 segments.
Market Data | Feb 24, 2021
2021 won’t be a growth year for construction spending, says latest JLL forecast
Predicts second-half improvement toward normalization next year.