32 States Add Construction Jobs Between August and September, And for the Year, Even as Labor Shortages Hold Back Larger Gains
Florida has largest pickup in jobs, while North Dakota experiences largest percentage increases, Texas and New Jersey lose the most jobs annually and monthly, Mississippi and Alabama have largest percentage drops
Thirty-two states added construction jobs between August and September, and an equal number boosted construction employment during the past twelve months, according to a new analysis of federal employment data released by the Associated General Contractors of America on Oct. 21. Association officials said the job gains were welcome news, but that significant labor shortages in the industry likely held back even larger employment gains.
“While it is encouraging to see construction employment expanding in a majority of states, it is tempting to imagine how much higher those gains would have been if contractors could find enough workers to hire,” said Stephen E. Sandherr, the association’s chief executive officer. Sandherr noted that a recent survey by the association found 91 percent of firms are having a hard time finding workers to hire.