Construction employment showed little movement in August, dipping 5,000 below the July total but remaining 4,000 higher than a year ago, according to an analysis of new federal employment data released by AGC. Association officials said the numbers are consistent with a pattern of small gains followed by slight decreases as demand for construction remains weak.

Construction employment increased in 136 out of 337 metropolitan areas between July 2010 and July 2011, declined in 148 and stayed level in 53, according to a new analysis of federal employment data released by AGC. Association officials noted that the local employment data remains mostly stagnant amid declines in publicly-funded construction activity.

According to an analysis by AGC of state employment data released by the Labor Department, construction employment increased in 26 states between July 2010 and July 2011 and during the past month.

The amount contractors pay for construction materials and charge for completed projects both increased in July, as firms were finally able to charge more for work, according to an analysis of producer price index figures released by AGC.

Construction employment inched up by 8,000 jobs to a 15-month high in July but remained far below the peak set in early 2006, according to an analysis of new federal employment data released by AGC.

Construction employment increased in 149 out of 337 metropolitan areas between June 2010 and June 2011, declined in 141 and stayed level in 47, according to a new analysis of federal employment data released by AGC.

Construction spending totaled $772 billion at a seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR) in June, up 0.2% from the rate in May but down 4.7% from June 2010, the Census Bureau reported on Monday. The estimates for May and April were revised upward by $17 billion (2.2%) and $10 billion (1.4%), respectively.

Construction employment declined in 27 states  between June 2010 and 2011 and dropped in 22 states and D.C. between May and June, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of state employment data released by the Labor Department. 

Seasonally adjusted nonfarm payroll employment increased in June in 26 states and the District of Columbia and decreased in 24 states, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported on Friday. Compared with June 2010, employment increased in 40 states and decreased in 10 states plus D.C. Construction employment improved in 25 states between May and June, declined in 22 states plus D.C., and was unchanged in Alaska, Alabama and Oklahoma, an analysis by AGC showed.

Nonfarm payroll employment rose by only 18,000, seasonally adjusted, in June, and the gains for April and May were pared by a combined 44,000, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported today.