Construction Employment Declined in 36 States Between February and March While 24 States and D.C. Add Jobs for the Year

The momentum boosting the number of states adding construction jobs stalled in March as only 12 states and the District of Columbia added jobs since February, another 36 states lost construction jobs and employment levels remained flat in two other states, according to an analysis by AGC of Labor Department data. The year-over-year figures were little better, association officials added, noting that only 24 states and D.C. added construction jobs between March 2011 and 2012 while 24 lost jobs and two were unchanged. “The March figures may simply reflect a bit of a correction after last year's harsh winter and this year's mild winter impacted typical March hiring patterns,” said Ken Simonson, AGC’s chief economist. “But the industry is still burdened in many states by weak demand for single-family housing, retail, office and public construction.” View the state employment data by rank and by state. Read the full press release.