Construction employment in October increased in 44 states since October 2017, according to an Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) analysis.
Between September and October 2018, employment increased in 36 states.
Texas had the biggest increase in construction jobs annually, adding 49,900 jobs since October 2017, an increase of 6.9 percent. Arizona had the highest percentage increase, adding 18,000 jobs for a jump of 12.1 percent.
“Firms in many parts of the country are hiring as fast as they can find qualified workers to bring onboard, just to keep pace with demand,” said AGC CEO Stephen Sandherr in a statement. “But at some point, the increasing costs of labor and construction materials are going to drive construction prices to the point where many customers reschedule or rethink their projects.”
The largest annual declines in construction employment came in New Jersey (3,800 jobs, 0.6 percent), South Carolina (1,700 jobs, 1.7 percent) and Oklahoma (500 jobs, 0.6 percent).
AGC’s full report can be read here.
