States Split Evenly Between Construction Job Gains and Losses in June

Equal numbers of states gained and lost construction jobs in June, highlighting the fragmentary nature of the industry’s recovery, according to an analysis by AGC of America of Labor Department data. Association officials added that, despite the fact most states added jobs year-over-year, construction employment levels are below peak levels for nearly every state. “Job gains and losses were quite different last month from the patterns in the past several years as some lagging states—notably Nevada—added workers, while former high-flyers such as Texas, had layoffs,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “On a year-over-year basis, construction employment has increased in more than two-thirds of the states, but nearly all states lag their pre-recession peaks for construction jobs.” Read the full press release here.