The vast majority of states in 2017 saw increases in construction employment according to a just-released study of the national labor market by the Associated General Contractors of America.
Based on data compiled by the Bureau of Labor, construction growth was recorded in 42 states from December of 2016 to December of last year.
States with the greatest percentage increase over 2016 included Nevada, which saw a 12.8 percent jump, followed by Rhode Island at 11.3 percent, Oklahoma at 10.7 percent, and Oregon, also at 10.5 percent.
“Construction employment is expanding in many parts of the country in large part because of strong private sector demand,” Ken Simonson, AGC chief economist, said in a statement in response to the federal job report.
“Any new public sector investments, particularly for infrastructure projects, would help accelerate job gains in many part of the country,” added Simonson.
Construction jobs in New Mexico from late 2016 to late 2017 increased from 43,700 to 46,700; Arizona’s numbers went from 136,400 to 143,400; while Colorado posted gains from 156,300 to 164,900.
Those numbers left New Mexico with a 14 percent increase in construction jobs last year, Colorado with an 18 percent increase, and Arizona with a 22 percent jump.
By Garry Boulard
