Construction firms added jobs in 43 states and the District of Columbia during the past year while construction employment also increased in 31 states between December and January, according to recent data from the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC). Texas had the largest 12-month gain, with 49,600 new construction jobs. (State employment data is available by rank and state.)
"Most of the country experienced a welcome rebound in construction employment last year," said AGC's chief economist, Ken Simonson. “Yet it is unclear how public sector demand and new regulatory requirements will overshadow relatively robust private-sector demand.”
Association officials noted that further construction gains could be undermined if Congress and the administration fail to address infrastructure funding challenges growing regulatory burdens.
“If Congress and the Obama administration are serious about wanting to help the middle class, they will need to find a way to fund infrastructure investments over the long term,” said Stephen E. Sandherr, AGC’s chief executive officer.