Twenty-six states added construction jobs in May as contractors continued to face worker shortages, according to Associated General Contractors of America. Thirty-nine states added construction jobs during the past year.
“Although some project types are slowing, there is unrelenting competition for workers for data centers, manufacturing plants, power and infrastructure projects in much of the country,” said Ken Simonson, AGC’s chief economist. “The industry’s ‘war for talent’ is driving up labor-related costs faster than in other industries.”
Ohio added the most construction jobs from April to May—7,000—and had the largest percentage increase of construction jobs for the month—3%. During the past 12 months, Texas added the most construction jobs—35,000—and Alaska had the largest percentage increase—20.4%.
Tennessee lost the largest number of construction jobs (-1,700) for the month and Maine had the largest percentage decline (-2.1%). During the past 12 months, Maryland lost the most construction jobs (-5,000) and Washington, D.C., had the largest percentage decline (-3.3%).
