State Construction Employment - April

In April, seasonally adjusted nonfarm payroll employment decreased in 44 states and the District of Columbia and rose in 6 states, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported on May 22. Compared to April 2008, nonfarm employment decreased in 48 states and increased slightly in North Dakota, 0.6%; D.C., 0.1%; and North Dakota, less than 0.1%. The largest over-the-year percentage decreases occurred in Arizona, -6.9%; Michigan, -6.8%; Nevada, -6.1%; and Oregon, -5.6%. Seasonally adjusted construction employment in April declined in 41 states, rose in six and was unchanged (or within 100 of the March level) in Rhode Island, North Dakota, Delaware and D.C. Compared to April 2008, construction employment rose only in Louisiana (5%), which is finally experiencing major reconstruction following the 2005 hurricanes. The largest percentage losses in construction employment over the year were in Arizona, -28%; Connecticut, -22%; Oregon and Florida, -20% each; Nevada and Tennessee, -19% each.