State-Level US Construction Employment for August

A closer look at the recently released nonfarm payroll report for August, with a focus on state-level construction employment and additional analysis provided by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), reveals that construction jobs (including both residential and nonresidential) increased in 27 states and the District of Columbia. Conversely, 20 states lost construction jobs, and the remaining three reported no change.

Overall, the construction industry added 34,000 jobs in August. Texas posted the largest increase, adding 8,300 jobs, while California shed 3,300. In percentage terms, Wyoming reported the highest increase at 2.3%, while Tennessee reported the largest decline at 1.6%.

Year-over-year, construction sector employment in the US increased by 228,000, a 2.8% increase. Texas added 36,600 jobs, the largest gain of any state, while Maryland lost 4,800. In percentage terms, Alaska had the highest annual growth rate at 17.8%, while Maine reported the largest decline of 4.7%.