New York faces construction job losses amid nationwide gains

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New York Construction Report staff writer

Construction employment surged in 40 states from September 2023 to September 2024, but New York experienced significant job losses. According to a recent analysis by the Associated General Contractors (AGC) of America, New York lost approximately 6,900 construction jobs, a decline of 1.8 percent.

This downturn contrasts sharply with states like Texas and Florida, which saw substantial gains in construction employment during the same period.

Texas led the charge, adding 42,300 jobs, a growth of 5.1 percent. Florida followed with an increase of 37,100 jobs, while Ohio added 16,400 jobs, highlighting robust construction activity in those states.

Despite the overall positive trend nationally, New York, along with Oregon and Maryland, struggled with job losses. Oregon reported the largest percentage drop at 4.1 percent, followed by Maryland’s decline of 2.9 percent.

On a month-to-month basis, from August to September, 24 states and the District of Columbia saw job growth, while 23 states experienced declines. Texas once again topped the list, adding 8,100 jobs, reflecting the state’s booming construction market. In contrast, Tennessee experienced the steepest losses, shedding 1,600 jobs.

Industry experts emphasize that the shortage of qualified workers is hampering job growth across many states, including New York. “It’s encouraging that many states are adding construction jobs, but we could see even more growth if we had a larger pool of qualified workers,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist.

To address these workforce shortages, the association is urging Congress to increase funding for construction training and education programs. “Providing more pathways into construction careers is critical to filling the demand created by various infrastructure projects,” stated Jeffrey D. Shoaf, the association’s chief executive officer.

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