AGC: Construction employment still down in most states

Construction employment in March remained below March 2020 levels in 35 states despite a sizzling homebuilding market and a strong recovery from severe winter weather, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC).

AGC conducted an analysis of government employment data to come to its findings.

Association officials cautioned, however, that a host of challenges, including continued project cancellations, rising materials prices, and supply chain uncertainties are making business conditions for contractors difficult.

“Nonresidential contractors are coping with a depleted list of projects, extreme cost increases and unprecedented supply chain problems,” says Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “These headwinds are likely to keep industry employment in many states below pre-pandemic levels for months.”

Seasonally adjusted construction employment in March exceeded the March 2020 level in only 14 states and the District of Columbia. Utah added the most jobs (6,400 jobs or 5.6 percent), trailed by Idaho (3,900 jobs, 7 percent) and Washington (2,200 jobs, 1 percent). Idaho added the highest percentage, followed by Utah and South Dakota (3.8 percent, 900 jobs).

Employment declined year-over-year in 35 states and stagnated in Mississippi. Texas lost the most construction jobs over the period (35,400 jobs, down 4.5 percent), followed by New York (29,300 jobs, down 7.2 percent), Louisiana (16,500 jobs, down 12.4 percent), and New Jersey (14,500 jobs, down 8.9 percent). Wyoming recorded the largest percentage loss (down 12.7 percent, 2,900 jobs), followed by Louisiana, New Jersey and Nevada (down 8.1 percent, 8,000 jobs).

In March, construction employment rebounded in 39 states – some of which had been battered by unusually severe winter weather in February – while 10 states lost jobs, AGC says. There was no change in New Hampshire and Washington, D.C.

Texas added the most construction jobs (19,100 jobs, up 2.6 percent) as work resumed following a damaging freeze in February. Other states with large monthly gains include New York (10,000 jobs, up 2.7 percent), Minnesota (7,900 jobs, up 6.8 percent) and Iowa (7,500 jobs, up 10.3 percent). Iowa had the largest percentage gain, followed by Kansas (10 percent, up 6,000 jobs) and Minnesota. Nevada lost the largest number and percentage of construction jobs for the month (1,300 jobs, down 1.4 percent).

Association officials say Washington leaders could help address many of the challenges facing commercial contractors. They note, for example that proposed new investments in infrastructure will help offset continued private sector project cancellations. And they renewed calls for the Biden administration to remove tariffs on key construction materials, including steel and lumber, and explore actions to unjam ports and other shipping facilities.

“Nicer weather and expanding confidence that the pandemic will soon end are helping improve market conditions,” says Stephen Sandherr, AGC’s CEO. “But the best way for policymakers to support continued job growth in the construction industry is to invest in infrastructure, remove government-imposed additions to materials prices, and help get the country’s supply chain back in order.”