Association officials noted that demand for projects — and the workers to execute them — remains robust in most states but there is a pressing need to prepare more people for careers in construction.
“Construction employment gains remain widespread, thanks to steady or increasing demand for data centers, manufacturing plants, energy, and infrastructure projects,” said Ken Simonson, Chief Economist for AGC. “But further job growth may be hindered by a lack of training programs for construction careers.”
- Florida (36,700 jobs or 5.8 percent)
- Texas (33,100 jobs or 4.0 percent)
- California (16,500 jobs or 1.8 percent)
- Michigan (14,100 jobs or 7.4 percent)
- Nevada (13,300 jobs or 11.9 percent)
Alaska had the largest percentage gain over 12 months (19.9 percent or 3,400 jobs), followed by Hawaii (13.2 percent or 5,000 jobs), Nevada, Louisiana (7.5 percent or 9,600 jobs), and Michigan.
From June to July 2024, industry employment increased in 29 states and the District of Columbia, declined in 16 states, and was unchanged in five states. For the month, the most construction jobs were added in:
- Florida (6,300 jobs or 1.0 percent)
- Tennessee (5,200 jobs or 3.3 percent)
- California (2,700 jobs or 0.3 percent)
- Ohio (2,300 jobs or 0.9 percent)
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Tennessee had the largest percentage gain, followed by North Dakota (2.5 percent or 700 jobs) and Hawaii (1.9 percent or 800 jobs).
- New York (down 8,100 jobs or 2.1 percent)
- Colorado (down 4,200 jobs or 2.3 percent)
- Maryland (down 4,000 jobs or 2.5 percent)
- Minnesota (down 1,500 jobs or 1.1 percent)
- Maine (down 1,400 jobs or 4.1 percent)
The largest percentage loss was in Maine, followed by the District of Columbia (down 4.0 percent or 600 jobs), Maryland, Colorado, and New York.
For the month from June to July 2024, the states that lost the most construction jobs are:
- New York (down 3,800 jobs or 1.0 percent)
- New Jersey (down 1,700 jobs or 1.0 percent)
- Missouri (down 1,500 jobs or 1.0 percent)
- Wisconsin (down 1,000 jobs or 0.7 percent)
During that period, Arkansas lost the highest percentage of jobs (down 1.2 percent or 800 jobs), followed by New York, New Jersey, Missouri, and Wyoming (down 0.9 percent or 200 jobs).
“The funding bills that Congress will be working on in September provide an opportunity to help many more people prepare for high-paying careers in fields like construction,” said Jeffrey D. Shoaf, AGC’s Chief Executive Officer. “Unless the nation has enough well-trained construction workers, many projects vital for economic growth and competitiveness will be delayed or postponed.”
