Construction Job Data Improves in November

Nonfarm payroll employment increased in 38 states and the District of Columbia in November compared to the previous month, while it decreased in 12 states. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, nationwide total nonfarm payroll employment increased by 227,000 in November, following a meager gain of 32,000 jobs in October.

On a month-over-month basis, employment data was most favorable in Florida, which added 61,500 jobs, rebounding from the hurricanes that hit the sunshine state in October. Washington came in second (+30,900), followed by North Carolina (+15,000).

A total of 20,300 jobs were lost across 12 states, with Colorado reporting the steepest job losses at 3,900. In percentage terms, employment increased the highest in Washington at 0.9%, while Vermont saw the biggest decline at 0.3% between October and November.

Construction sector jobs data — which includes both residential and non-residential construction — showed that 23 states and the District of Columbia reported an increase in November compared to October, while 23 states lost construction sector jobs. The four remaining states reported no change on a month-over-month basis.

Florida added the most month over month, with an increase of 7,600 construction jobs, while Indiana lost 3,400 jobs. In percentage terms, Minnesota reported the highest increase at 2.1%, and Indiana reported the largest decline at 2%.

Year over year, construction sector jobs in the U.S. increased by 211,000 — a 2.6% increase. Texas added 32,200 jobs, which was the largest gain of any state, while California lost 11,500 construction sector jobs. In percentage terms, Alaska had the highest annual growth rate in the construction sector at 20.3%. Over this period, Maryland reported the largest decline of 2.3%.

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