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AGC Releases Updated Employment Figures

  • LeeAnn Maton
  • July 23, 2009

Construction employment numbers plunged nationwide from June 2008 to June 2009, resulting in net job losses for all but two states according to new data from AGC of America 's Chief Economist Ken Simonson.

Only North Dakota and Louisiana reported employment gains over the past year (5.2% and 4.0%, respectively). Illinois lost 14.7%, or 38,100 jobs, putting it in a disheartening 32nd place on the list of state-by-state rankings (see the full report here).

According to the report, which includes Washington, D.C., the top five best states for construction employment retention were:

  • 1. North Dakota -- Up 5.2%, or +1,100 jobs
  • 2. Louisiana -- Up 4.0% or +5,400 jobs
  • 3. Mississippi -- Down 0.8%, or -500 jobs
  • 4. Nebraska -- Down 2.% or -1,400 jobs
  • 5. Arkansas -- Down 2.9% or -1,600 jobs

The states with the highest losses in employment were:

  • 51. Arizona -- Down 25.5% or -48,200 jobs
  • 50.  Nevada -- Down 22.6% or -26,700 jobs
  • 49.  Connecticut -- Down 21.7% or -14,200 jobs
  • 48.  Tennessee -- Down 19.8 % or -26,300 jobs
  • 47.  Kentucky -- Down 19.3% or -16,500 jobs

 

 

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