Construction employment increased in 45 states and the District of Columbia in July from a year earlier, while 27 states added construction employees from June to July, according to a new analysis of federal employment data released by the Associated General Contractors of America today. Association officials said recent job gains would be more widespread if government officials helped more people prepare for construction careers.
“Construction job gains were nearly ubiquitous over the past year,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “While barely half the states added construction employees in July, that is due to the sector’s ultra-low unemployment rate. There is still plenty of demand, as shown by near-record construction job openings.”