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 | Aug 16, 2019
Students say unclean restrooms impact their perception of the school
The findings are part of Bradley Corporation’s Healthy Hand Washing Survey.
Market Data | Aug 12, 2019
Mid-year economic outlook for nonresidential construction: Expansion continues, but vulnerabilities pile up
Emerging weakness in business investment has been hinting at softening outlays.
Market Data | Aug 7, 2019
National office vacancy holds steady at 9.7% in slowing but disciplined market
Average asking rental rate posts 4.2% annual growth.
Market Data | Aug 1, 2019
Nonresidential construction spending slows in June, remains elevated
Among the 16 nonresidential construction spending categories tracked by the Census Bureau, seven experienced increases in monthly spending.
Market Data | Jul 31, 2019
For the second quarter of 2019, the U.S. hotel construction pipeline continued its year-over-year growth spurt
The growth spurt continued even as business investment declined for the first time since 2016.
Market Data | Jul 23, 2019
Despite signals of impending declines, continued growth in nonresidential construction is expected through 2020
AIA’s latest Consensus Construction Forecast predicts growth.
Market Data | Jul 20, 2019
Construction costs continued to rise in second quarter
Labor availability is a big factor in that inflation, according to Rider Levett Bucknall report.
Market Data | Jul 18, 2019
Construction contractors remain confident as summer begins
Contractors were slightly less upbeat regarding profit margins and staffing levels compared to April.
Market Data | Jul 17, 2019
Design services demand stalled in June
Project inquiry gains hit a 10-year low.
Market Data | Jul 16, 2019
ABC’s Construction Backlog Indicator increases modestly in May
The Construction Backlog Indicator expanded to 8.9 months in May 2019.