Construction employment increased in 39 states between August 2023 and August 2024, while 27 states and the District of Columbia added jobs from July to last month, according to a new analysis of federal employment data released by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials indicated that tight labor market conditions are making it difficult for firms to find enough workers.
“Construction employment keeps growing in most states despite month-to-month fluctuations,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “But contractors everywhere are reporting difficulty filling a wide variety of positions.” He noted that 94 percent of contractors reported having a hard time finding workers to hire in a survey conducted by the association and Arcoro last month.
Between August 2023 and August 2024, Texas added the most construction employees (36,600 jobs or 4.4 percent), followed by Florida (36,200 jobs, 5.7 percent), Michigan (15,100 jobs, 7.9 percent), and Nevada (12,700 jobs, 11.2 percent). Alaska had the largest percentage gain over this period (17.8 percent or 3,100 jobs), followed by Hawaii (12.4 percent or 4,700 jobs), Nevada, and Montana (10.1 percent or 3,700 jobs).
Conversely, Maryland lost the most construction jobs during this period (-4,800 jobs or -3.0 percent), followed by New York (-4,700 jobs or -1.2 percent), Oregon (-2,400 jobs or -2.1 percent), Colorado (-2,400 jobs or -1.3 percent), and Minnesota (-2,000 jobs or -1.5 percent). The largest percentage loss was in Maine (-4.7 percent or -1,600 jobs), followed by Vermont (-3.1 percent or -500 jobs), Maryland; D.C., which lost -2.7% with a reduction of -400 positions; and Oregon.
For the month between July and August 2024 industry employment increased in Texas (+8,300 jobs or +1%), Virginia (+2,300 jobs or +1%), Wisconsin (+2,300 job increases equating to +1%), Illinois (+2% at +0%) Wyoming experienced an overall increase rate amounting up two point three percentages when comparing numbers from previous months reflecting gains totaling around five hundred newly created opportunities within their respective regions); West Virginia saw improvements too: adding six hundred more placements translating into an additional one-point eight percentage rise; Wisconsin continued showing positive trends similarly recording figures like those mentioned earlier standing out alongside Montana's performance where similar metrics applied resulting ultimately another six-hundred job boost reflecting one-point five percentages upward trajectory respectively among these locations considered here today alone
California lost significant ground seeing reductions reaching negative three thousand three hundred fewer available roles representing zero point four declines overall; Tennessee experienced setbacks losing two thousand five hundred previously held positions marking one-point six decrease proportionally across board affecting their state adversely likewise observed here similarly New Jersey also suffered declines numbering around sixteen hundred less workforce members now contributing negatively impacting outcomes statewide equivalent approximately one-percent drop thereabouts finally Minnesota witnessed nine-hundred fewer active participants correlating seven-tenths decline further illustrating challenges faced regionally
Association officials urged Congress to boost funding for construction workforce training programs aimed addressing shortages potentially undermining sector growth currently underway emphasizing importance legislative support initiatives such as reauthorization Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act providing essential resources needed facilitate effective training efforts nationwide including Carl Perkins Technical Career Education Act supporting school-based technical education pathways critical fostering future talent pipelines necessary sustaining long-term industry viability moving forward
“Exposing more people to construction as career opportunity will boost employment many parts country,” Jeffrey D Shoaf association chief executive officer stated "Boosting funding education training put more high-paying careers."
View August state employment data rankings.
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