Twenty states added construction jobs in March amid severe weather in the U.S., according to Associated General Contractors of America. Forty-four states added construction jobs during the past year.
“A one-two punch from a pullback in homebuilding and unusually severe weather, especially in California, caused employment to drop in most states from February to March,” said Ken Simonson, AGC’s chief economist. “Construction employment continued to expand almost everywhere in March compared to a year ago, as demand for apartments, nonresidential building and infrastructure remains strong in many states.”
Texas added the most construction jobs from February to March—5,800—and Kentucky had the largest percentage increase of construction jobs for the month—3.1%. During the past 12 months, Texas added the most construction jobs—41,200—and Rhode Island had the largest percentage increase—11.9%
California lost the largest number of construction jobs (-8,200) for the month, and Connecticut had the largest percentage decline (-2.9%). During the past 12 months, California lost the most construction jobs (-7,300) and West Virginia had the largest percentage decline (-7.5%).
“There’s an immediate need for workers that can’t be satisfied domestically,” said Stephen E. Sandherr, AGC’s CEO. “At the same time, Washington should help more Americans prepare for the expanding opportunities in construction by providing adequate funding for career and technical programs.”
