Twenty-seven states added new construction jobs in January, but construction employment is down in 42 states since February 2020, according to www.agc.org.
“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, chief economist for the Associated General Contractors of America. “That combination makes further job cuts likely in many states.”
Florida added the most construction jobs from December 2020 to January—3,500—and Vermont had the largest percentage increase of construction jobs for the month—3.4%. California lost the largest number of construction jobs (-4,000) and South Carolina lost the highest percentage of construction jobs (-2.4%) for the month.
Only eight states construction jobs from February 2020 to January. Idaho added the most jobs—4,500—and had the largest percentage increase during that period—3%. Texas lost the most construction jobs from February 2020 to January (-51,900 jobs), and Louisiana had the largest percentage decline (-14%).
“The pandemic is driving away projects, contributing to spiking materials prices and helping make delivery schedules unreliable,” said AGC CEO Stephen E. Sandherr. “Contractors will not be able to build back better if they have to keep paying higher prices for materials that rarely arrive on time.”
