Thirty-nine states lost construction jobs between August 2019 and August 2020 while 31 states and the District of Columbia added construction jobs between July and August according to a new analysis of Labor Department data released today by the Associated General Contractors of America. The new annual figures detail how the coronavirus pandemic has undermined demand for construction projects after a strong start to the year.
“The ongoing pandemic is prompting ever more private owners, developers, and public agencies to delay and cancel projects,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist, citing the association’s mid-June survey and a more recent survey it produced in August. “The share of contractors that reported postponed or canceled projects nearly doubled while the share who reported winning new or expanded work dropped nearly in half.”
California lost the most construction jobs (-52,000, -5.8%) between August 2019 and August 2020, followed by New York (-46,000, -11.3%); Texas (-39,300 jobs, -5.0%); Massachusetts (-20,200 jobs, -12.4%) and Illinois (-17,200 jobs, -7.5%). Vermont lost the highest percent of construction jobs for the year (-29.6%, -4,500 jobs), followed by Massachusetts; Iowa (-11.8%, -9,300 jobs); Louisiana (-11.4%, -15,700 jobs) and New York.
Ten states and the District of Columbia added construction jobs between August 2019 and August 2020 while construction employment was unchanged in Montana. Utah added the most new construction jobs (8,800 jobs, 8.0%), followed by Virginia (4,400 jobs, 2.2%); Maryland (3,800 jobs, 2.3%); Indiana (3,100 jobs, 2.1%) and Missouri (2,700 jobs, 2.1%). South Dakota added the highest percent (10.9%, 2,600 jobs), followed by Utah; Idaho (2.4%, 1,300 jobs); Maryland and Virginia.
California added the most new construction jobs (6,700 jobs, 0.8%) between July and August, followed by New York (5,200 jobs, 1.5%); Pennsylvania (4,100 jobs, 1.7%); Texas (3,300 jobs, 0.4%) and Oregon (3,200 jobs, 3.1%). New Mexico added the highest percentage (6.7%, 3,100) of jobs for the month, followed by Mississippi (3.4%, 1,400 jobs); Oregon and Kentucky (2.0%, 1,600 jobs).
Nineteen states lost construction jobs for the month with Nevada losing the most (-2,600 jobs, -2.8%). Other states losing a high number of construction jobs for the month include Florida (-2,200 jobs, -0.4%); Nebraska (-1,800 jobs, -3.3%) and North Carolina (-1,800 jobs, -0.8%). Hawaii lost the highest percentage (-3.5%, -1,300 jobs) of construction jobs for the month, followed by West Virginia (-3.3%, -1,100 jobs); Nebraska and Nevada.
Association officials said the best thing Washington leaders can do to boost demand for construction and employment in the sector is to increase investments in infrastructure and provide liability protections for firms taking steps to protect workers from the coronavirus. They added that extending the current surface transportation bill for one-year – which appears likely to occur – will provide needed short-term certainty for the transportation construction market.
“The best way to create jobs and boost economic activity is to rebuild aging infrastructure, provide market certainty and protect firms from needless suits,” said Stephen E. Sandherr, the association’s chief executive officer.
View state employment data, 12-mo, 1-mo rankings, map and high and lows. View the workforce survey results.
Related Stories
Market Data | Aug 2, 2017
Nonresidential Construction Spending falls in June, driven by public sector
June’s weak construction spending report can be largely attributed to the public sector.
Market Data | Jul 31, 2017
U.S. economic growth accelerates in second quarter; Nonresidential fixed investment maintains momentum
Nonresidential fixed investment, a category of GDP embodying nonresidential construction activity, expanded at a 5.2% seasonally adjusted annual rate.
Multifamily Housing | Jul 27, 2017
Apartment market index: Business conditions soften, but still solid
Despite some softness at the high end of the apartment market, demand for apartments will continue to be substantial for years to come, according to the National Multifamily Housing Council.
Market Data | Jul 25, 2017
What's your employer value proposition?
Hiring and retaining talent is one of the top challenges faced by most professional services firms.
Market Data | Jul 25, 2017
Moderating economic growth triggers construction forecast downgrade for 2017 and 2018
Prospects for the construction industry have weakened with developments over the first half of the year.
Industry Research | Jul 6, 2017
The four types of strategic real estate amenities
From swimming pools to pirate ships, amenities (even crazy ones) aren’t just perks, but assets to enhance performance.
Market Data | Jun 29, 2017
Silicon Valley, Long Island among the priciest places for office fitouts
Coming out on top as the most expensive market to build out an office is Silicon Valley, Calif., with an out-of-pocket cost of $199.22.
Market Data | Jun 26, 2017
Construction disputes were slightly less contentious last year
But poorly written and administered contracts are still problems, says latest Arcadis report.
Industry Research | Jun 26, 2017
Time to earn an architecture license continues to drop
This trend is driven by candidates completing the experience and examination programs concurrently and more quickly.
Industry Research | Jun 22, 2017
ABC's Construction Backlog Indicator rebounds in 2017
The first quarter showed gains in all categories.
