State-Level Analysis of Construction Sector Employment for July

A closer look at the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ (BLS) July total nonfarm payroll report, with a focus on state-by-state construction jobs and additional analysis provided by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), reveals that across the 48 states which reported construction sector jobs data (both residential and non-residential construction) 26 states reported month-over-month employment gains in July, while 21 states lost construction sector jobs. New Mexico reported no change.

Texas led the way with 4,700 new construction jobs being added, while Washington reported losing 2,500 jobs. Overall, the construction industry added a net 19,000 jobs month-over-month in July. In percentage terms, Nebraska increased by 3.1% in July, while Maine reported a 2.7% decline.

Year-over-year, construction sector jobs increased by 198,000, or 2.5%. Again, Texas led the way, adding 25,200 construction sector jobs, while Colorado posted a loss of 3,000. In percentage terms, Arkansas had the highest annual growth rate in the construction sector, increasing by 10.1%, while Colorado recorded a 1.6% decline over the same time period.