New York added 42,000 construction jobs as the state began
its phased re-opening in May,
Data from the Associated General Contractors of America shows the state led the nation in the number or new jobs created between May and June but, which coronavirus flare-ups across the nation growing, there are fears the numbers could start to go back down.
“The widespread job gains in June follow even more universal increases in May,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist.
“But the government’s employment snapshot was based on payrolls during the week of June 12. More recent data collected by Procore on hours worked on job sites suggests employment topped out around mid-June and may have begun to decline.”
Association officials warned that recent flare-ups of
coronavirus across most states mean there will soon be more project
cancellations, forcing contractors to lay off workers again. They urged
Congress and the Trump administration to promptly enact new infrastructure
funding measures and backfill the massive budget gaps that have opened in state
and local government budgets, so that public construction does not decline
precipitously.
Construction employment increased from May to June in 31
states and the District of Columbia, according to AGC analysis of government
employment data released today and a compilation of weekly jobsite hours by
construction technology firm Procore.
Simonson observed that users of Procore’s software record
the number of hours worked each week on their construction job sites. Procore
reported that jobsite hours reached a peak of 15.1 million during the week of
June 7-13. Since then, preliminary totals have slipped, to 15.0 million during
the week of June 14-20 and 14.6 million during the week of June 21-27.
Procore has been mapping total jobsite hours in each state
since the week of March 1, around the time of the initial restrictions on
businesses in some states. Jobsite hours have increased in most states as
shutdown orders were relaxed and the weather grew more favorable for
construction in many locations. Nevertheless, in 12 states Procore users logged
fewer jobsite hours in late June than in early March, Simonson noted.
New York added the most construction jobs from May to June
(42,000 jobs or 14.2 percent). Massachusetts had the largest percentage
increase (16.3 percent, 19,700 construction jobs). Construction employment
declined from May to June in 18 states and was unchanged in Alaska. Louisiana
lost the most construction jobs (-3,900 jobs, -3.1 percent). Nevada had the
highest percentage loss (-3.5 percent, -3,500 jobs).
From June 2019 to June 2020, construction employment
increased in 15 states, decreased in 34 states and D.C., and held steady in
Wyoming. Utah added the most construction jobs over the year (10,200 jobs, 9.4
percent). South Dakota had the largest percentage increase (13.7 percent, 3,200
jobs). Both states set all-time highs, in records dating to 1990. New York lost
the most construction jobs over the year (68,300 jobs, -16.8 percent). The largest
percentage decline occurred in Vermont (-29.4 percent, -4,500 jobs).
Association officials warned that recent flare-ups of
coronavirus across most states mean there will soon be more project
cancellations, forcing contractors to lay off workers again. They urged
Congress and the Trump administration to promptly enact new infrastructure
funding measures and backfill the massive budget gaps that have opened in state
and local government budgets, so that public construction does not decline
precipitously.
“Only the federal government has the means to keep
infrastructure and other needed public construction on track,” said Stephen E.
Sandherr, the association’s chief executive officer. “It would be tragic to
miss the opportunity to support the economy, keep thousands of construction
employees at work, and invest in much-needed upgrades to roads, transportation
facilities, water and sewer systems.”
