Among the states of the Southwest in construction employment, New Mexico placed near the top growth last month.
According to a new survey put together by the Association of General Contractors of America, the Land of Enchantment experienced a healthy 4.1% increase in jobs over February of 2022—a figure surpassing Arizona at 2.6% and California at 1.0%.
The normally booming Colorado experienced a decline in construction jobs from February of 2022 to February of 2023 of 0.8%.
Three other states in the region reported significant construction employment with Nevada leading the way at 11.8%, followed by Utah at 7.3%, and Texas at 5.0%.
Overall, construction jobs were up in 45 states.
Looking at the national trend, Ken Simonson, chief economist with the Associated General Contractors, remarked: “Unfavorable weather may have held back construction in many states last month compared to January. But construction employment continued to expand almost everywhere in February compared to a year ago, despite a slump in homebuilding.”
In terms of the actual number of jobs, the largest states of the Union saw the greatest employment, with Texas seeing just under 38,000 jobs in 2022, followed by New York at 20,400, and Florida at 19,700.
Job losses were the largest in parts of the South and Midwest, with Tennessee seeing a decline of 1,700 jobs, and Virginia off by 1,200 jobs. Iowa was down by 1,600 jobs.
By Garry Boulard
