Construction Employment Improves in 35 States

Construction employment increased in 26 states between July and August, and in 35 states for the year, according to an analysis of Labor Department data by the Associated General Contractors of America, published in a Sept. 20 report. The AGC remains cautious, however, as construction employment remains below peak levels in most states.“While we would all like to see even more robust growth, it is encouraging that most states have a larger construction workforce today than they did a year ago,” said Stephen E. Sandherr, the association’s CEO, in the release. “It will take a lot more growth, however, before construction employment levels return to their pre-recession levels in most places.”AGC officials said that much of the industry’s recent growth was coming from a few private sector areas, particularly demand for new housing and energy facilities. As a result, many construction employers would be particularly hard hit by a sudden halt in federal construction activity, according to the report.

Read the full report