R.I. construction employment growth highest in New England in July

CONSTRUCTION EMPLOYMENT In Rhode Island increased 5.2% year over year in July, the fastest rate of increase in New England./ PBN FILE PHOTO/ MICHAEL SALERNO
CONSTRUCTION EMPLOYMENT In Rhode Island increased 5.2% year over year in July, the fastest rate of increase in New England./ PBN FILE PHOTO/ MICHAEL SALERNO

PROVIDENCE – The year-over-year construction employment growth rate in Rhode Island in July was the 15th-highest in the nation, according to the Associated General Contractors of America Friday.

Construction employment in the Ocean State rose 5.2% year over year to 20,100 jobs, seasonally adjusted. Wyoming had the fastest rate of growth in the construction sector among the 50 states and the District of Columbia at 13.1% year over year (to 22,400 jobs).

Rhode Island’s construction employment growth rate ranked highest in New England.

New England year-over-year construction employment changes in July:

  • Rhode Island: No. 15 in the United States, 5.2% increase to 20,100 jobs
  • New Hampshire: No. 24 in the U.S., 3.3% increase to 27,900 jobs
  • Maine: No. 34, 1.7% increase to 29,500 jobs
  • Massachusetts: No. 47, construction employment contracted 1.6% to 155,000 jobs
  • Connecticut: No. 48, construction employment declined 2.6% to 57,000 jobs
  • Vermont: No. 50, sector employment declined 3.3% to 14,600 jobs

The AGCA said that construction employment increased in 40 states and the District of Columbia year over year.

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“Demand for projects, and the workers to build them, shows no sign of letting up in most states, and contractors continue to increase headcount when they can find qualified workers,” said AGCA chief economist Ken Simonson in a press release. “But job openings at the end of June were the highest ever for June, suggesting that contractors are struggling to find all the workers they need in many states.”

Chris Bergenheim is the PBN web editor. You may reach him at Bergenheim@PBN.com.

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