R.I. ranks 23rd for construction job growth in February

RHODE ISLAND ADDED 300 construction jobs between February 2013 and February 2014, a 1.9 percent increase that earned the state a spot at No. 23 in a ranking of U.S. states by highest percentage of jobs gained during the 12-month period. Above, Mike Rothermal of Caldwell and Johnson Custom Builders, cuts trim on a construction site in Jamestown. / PBN FILE PHOTO/KATE WHITNEY LUCEY
RHODE ISLAND ADDED 300 construction jobs between February 2013 and February 2014, a 1.9 percent increase that earned the state a spot at No. 23 in a ranking of U.S. states by highest percentage of jobs gained during the 12-month period. Above, Mike Rothermal of Caldwell and Johnson Custom Builders, cuts trim on a construction site in Jamestown. / PBN FILE PHOTO/KATE WHITNEY LUCEY

ARLINGTON, Va. – Construction employment in Rhode Island rose 1.9 percent in February compared with the same period last year, adding 300 jobs for a total of 16,400 jobs, the Associated General Contractors of America reported Friday.

Rhode Island ranked 23rd among the U.S. states and Washington, D.C., for highest percentage of jobs gained between February 2013 and February 2014.

Massachusetts, which added 2,800 jobs, or 2.3 percent, since February of last year, ranked 20th. Construction jobs in the Bay State totaled 123,700 in February, the AGC reported.

On a year-over-year basis, 37 states experienced growth in construction jobs in February, while 10 states and the District of Columbia lost jobs and three states maintained previous job levels. Florida led the country with an 11 percent increase, adding 39,200 jobs, followed by Nevada with an increase of 10.4 percent, or 5,800 jobs, and Oregon, with an increase of 9.8 percent, or 7,000 jobs.

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“Considering the mix of states adding and losing construction jobs for the month and year, it seems winter conditions had less of an impact than many had expected,” said Ken Simonson, the AGC’s chief economist. “Instead, what appears to be driving construction employment is differing levels of demand for new buildings and infrastructure amid a relatively uneven economic recovery.”

On a monthly basis, between January and February, the AGC noted that construction employment increased in 30 states, decreased in 18 states and the District of Columbia, and held steady in two states. In Rhode Island, the industry experienced a 1.2 percent increase in construction employment over the month, a gain of 200 jobs.

Massachusetts posted a loss of 700 construction jobs between January and February, a decline of six-tenths of a percent.

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