PROVIDENCE – Rhode Island construction employment increased 6.6 percent year over year in June, the ninth-largest percent increase in the United States, according to the Associated General Contractors of America Friday.
Rhode Island construction employment increased 1,200 jobs from 18,300 to 19,500 in June 2018.
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Massachusetts experienced a 7.3 percent construction-employment increase in that time, ranking No. 6 in the country and first in New England. Bay State construction employment increased from 150,400 to 161,400 in June 2018.
New Hampshire ranked No. 2 in the region with a 6.8 percent increase year over year.
Maine ranked No. 10 nationally, right behind Rhode Island at 6.5 percent year-over-year growth.
Connecticut construction-employment growth ranked No. 23 in the country and fifth in New England at 3.6 percent, followed by Vermont at No. 40 in the nation and last in New England at 1.3 percent year-over-year growth in June.
Arizona construction-employment growth was the largest in the United Sates at 10.2 percent from June 2017 to June 2018. In all, construction employment rose in 43 states plus the District of Columbia, remained unchanged in Hawaii and declined in six states.
“Construction is proving to be a reliable source of employment growth in nearly every state, and contractors are eager to hire even more workers,” said Ken Simonson, AGCA chief economist, in a statement. “But finding qualified workers remains a significant challenge as other industries compete for talent, more workers reach retirement age and fewer young adults choose to pursue careers in construction.”
Recent staffing concerns are not singular to the construction industry. In the Federal Reserve Beige Book released earlier this week, several contacts in the First District represented by the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston reported difficulty staffing due to talent shortages and declining unemployment.
Chris Bergenheim is the PBN web editor.
