More Than 200,000 Construction Jobs Added Since November 2021

Year over year, construction sector jobs in the United States increased by 248,000 — a 3.3% increase compared to the November 2021 level. California added 37,200 jobs, which was the largest gain of any state, while South Carolina lost 4,700 construction sector jobs. In percentage terms, North Dakota had the highest annual growth rate in the construction sector by 15.6%. Over this period, South Carolina reported a decline of 4.5%.

Year over year ending in November, 4.9 million total jobs have been added, marking a more than full recovery of the labor market from the COVID-19 pandemic-induced recession. All the states and District of Columbia added jobs compared to a year ago. Texas reported the highest increase by 5.1%, while Mississippi was essentially unchanged (0.1%) compared to a year ago.

On a month-over-month basis, nationwide total nonfarm payroll employment increased by 263,000 in November, following a gain of 284,000 jobs in October, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Nonfarm payroll employment increased in 43 states and the District of Columbia in November compared to the previous month. Texas added 33,600 jobs, followed by Florida (28,100) and California (26,800). Seven states lost a total of 9,000 jobs.

Across the 48 states that reported construction sector jobs data — which includes both residential as well as non-residential construction — 36 states reported an increase in November compared to October, while eight lost construction sector jobs. Four states — Arkansas, Arizona, Maine and Tennessee — reported no change.

Danushka Nanayakkara-Skillington, NAHB assistant vice president for forecasting and analysis, provides more in this Eye on Housing post.