U.S. construction employment surged significantly in the period between August 2013 and August 2014, with construction firms adding jobs in 36 states during that time span.
The Associated General Contractors of America released the encouraging news in mid-September. The report also indicated that overall construction industry employment increased in 28 states between July and August 2014.
The U.S. construction employment numbers indicate continued construction activity across the country, with construction employment rising in contrast to uneven employment gains in other sectors.
Most states are still below pre-recession employment levels in the construction industry, but the improvements in employment suggest that the recovery of the construction industry continues and that more states will soon achieve previous levels of employment.
In the August 2013 to August 2014 period, Florida added the most new construction jobs totaling 43,500 positions for a growth level of 11.8 percent. Other states with significantly increased job numbers include:
- California – 35,600 jobs, indicating growth of 11.8 percent
- Texas – 27,700 jobs, indicating growth of 4.5 percent
- Illinois – 11,100 jobs, indicating growth of 5.8 percent
- Pennsylvania – 10,800 jobs, indicating growth of 4.8 percent
- Nevada – 7,200 jobs, indicating growth of 12.8 percent. Nevada’s percentage growth was also the highest recorded during the period.
In the July 2014 to August 2014 period, California added the most jobs, with California growing its construction employment roster by 13,600 jobs, a growth level of 2.1 percent. Other notable increases were reported in:
- Texas – 6,900 jobs added, representing a 1.1 percent increase
- Florida – 6,100 jobs added, representing a 1.5 percent increase
- Minnesota – 2,500 jobs added, representing a 2.3 percent increase
- Nebraska – 1,800 jobs added, representing a 4.0 percent increase. Nebraska also showed the highest percentage growth in jobs during the period.
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