Construction employment decreased from June to July in 26 states and the District of Columbia as earlier widespread job gains gave way to more project cancellations, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials said construction employment is likely to continue falling in many parts of the country without new federal recovery measures, including liability reform and new infrastructure funding.
California shed the most construction jobs from June to July (-14,800 jobs or -1.7 percent), followed by Texas (-6,300 jobs, -0.8 percent). New Mexico had the largest percentage decrease (-5.9 percent, -2,900 jobs), followed by Vermont (-3.7 percent, -400 jobs).
Construction employment increased from June to July in 24 states. New York added the most construction jobs and had the largest percentage gain (13,600 jobs, 4.0 percent), followed by Missouri (4,400 jobs, 3.5 percent).
From July 2019 to July 2020, construction employment declined in 39 states, increased in 10 and held steady in Arkansas and D.C. California lost the most construction jobs over the year (-55,800 jobs, -6.3 percent), followed by New York (-50,700 jobs, -12.5 percent). Vermont had the worst percentage decline (-31.6 percent, -4,800 jobs), followed by New York.
Utah added the most construction jobs over the year (8,600 jobs, 7.8 percent), followed by Maryland (4,900 jobs, 3.0 percent). South Dakota had the largest percentage gain (10.5 percent, 2,500 jobs), followed by Utah.
Association officials warned that continued flare-ups of coronavirus across many states mean there likely will be even more project cancellations as the economic recovery stalls, forcing contractors to lay off workers again. They urged Congress and the Trump administration to work together to enact new recovery measures that include infrastructure funding.
