Construction employment increased in only 16 states and D.C. in October compared with February 2020, the last month before the COVID-19 pandemic, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America.
Compared with February 2020, construction employment declined in 33 states in October and remained unchanged in Hawaii.
“Although activity picked up in most states in October, construction employment remains below pre-pandemic levels in two out of three states,” stated Ken Simonson, AGC’s chief economist. “The record number of job openings shows contractors are eager to hire more workers but can’t find enough qualified applicants.”
The biggest construction employment declines were in Texas (46,400), New York (42,800) and California (21,300).
The most construction jobs added since February 2020 were in Utah, which added 8,200 jobs, a 7.2% increase in the state.
The full AGC report can be found here.
