Construction employment in March totaled 6.88 million, an increase of 0.14 percent compared with February’s total of 6.87 and an increase of 2.6 percent compared with March 2016’s total of 6.71 million, according to the Associated General Contractors of America.
Residential construction lost 7,600 jobs in March but is up 112,600 jobs year-over-year. Nonresidential construction jobs increased by 13,300 and is up 63,500 jobs year-over-year.
"Construction firms continued to add jobs over the past year at a higher rate than the overall economy," said Ken Simonson, the association's chief economist, in a statement. "The small job gain in March most likely reflects 'payback' for unusually large hiring in February rather than a flattening of demand for projects. However, there has been a slowdown in public investment in highways and other infrastructure that could undermine construction hiring this year."
