Construction Employment Expanded in 45 States in February

Washington, DC, March 27, 2023-Seasonally adjusted construction employment rose from February 2022 to February 2023 in 45 states and declined in five states and the District of Columbia, according to Associated General Contractor’s analysis of data Bureau of Labor Statistics. 

Texas added the most jobs (37,900, 5.0%), followed by New York (20,400, 5.3%), Florida (19,700, 3.3%), Nevada (12,100, 11.8%), and Georgia (11,700, 5.5%). Rhode Island had the largest percentage increase (12.4%, 2,600 jobs), followed by Nevada, Montana (9.3%, 3,300), Nebraska (8.1%, 4,700) and Utah (7.3%, 9,400). 

West Virginia lost the most jobs over 12 months (-2,200, -6.5%), followed by Colorado (-1,500, -0.8%) and South Dakota (-1,200, -4.6%). The largest percentage losses occurred in West Virginia, South Dakota, and D.C. (-3.2%, -500 jobs). 

For the month, construction employment increased in 24 states, held steady in six states, and declined in 20 states and D.C. California added the most jobs over the month (7,600, 0.8%), followed by Texas (2,600, 0.3%), New Jersey (4,000, 2.5%), and Minnesota (2,200, 1.7%). The largest percentage gain (1.7% each) occurred in Minnesota and Rhode Island (400 jobs), followed by 1.5% gains in North Dakota (400 jobs) and Mississippi (700). 

Tennessee had the largest construction job loss in February (-1,700, -1.1%), followed by Iowa (-1,600, -1.9%) and Virginia (-1,200, -0.6%). Hawaii experienced the largest percentage loss for the month (-2.0%, -800), followed by Iowa and Alaska (-1.8%, -300).