Construction Employment in January Lags Pre-Pandemic Mark in 42 States
Texas, Louisiana Have Worst Job Losses Since Pandemic Struck, While Idaho Adds the Most Jobs; California, South Carolina Have Worst One-Month Job Losses as Florida, Vermont Top Other States
Construction employment in January remained below pre-pandemic levels in all but eight states, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of government employment data released, while more firms have reduced headcount than have added to it in the past year, the association’s recent survey shows. Association officials said the jobs figures and survey results underscore the need for federal measures to stem future sector job losses.
“Despite improvement in many sectors of the economy, nonresidential contractors are coping with widespread project cancellations and postponements, soaring materials costs, and lengthening delivery times,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “That combination makes further job cuts likely in many states.”