Year-to-year construction employment up in 39 U.S. states.

An unusually mild winter, combined with continuing growth in demand for workers, produced year-to-year construction employment increases in 39 U.S. states compared to February 2023 levels. An analysis of employment data by the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC), reported in Compact Equipment magazine, noted that 31 of those 39 states also recorded employment increases from January to February 2024.

Year-to-year growth was strongest in Texas and Florida. Only 11 states and the District of Columbia reported employment declines in the 2023-2024 period.

AGC officials said that demand for workers remains a greater concern for members than downturns in activity. They called for increased support for technical education programmes and efforts to promote awareness of opportunities in the industry among potential job candidates. High-paying construction careers, they said, represent an attractive alternative to college for many potential employees and often come without high student debt loads.