Year-Over-Year Construction Employment Dips in July

Construction employment declined in 165 out of 337 metropolitan areas between July 2011 and July 2012, increased in 123, and was stagnant in 49, according to a new analysis of federal employment data released today by the Associated General Contractors of America.

Association officials said that the new data comes out as many metro areas continue to struggle with constricting public sector budgets and uneven private sector growth. 

The largest job losses were in Chicago-Joliet-Naperville, Illinois (-6,500 jobs, -5%); followed by Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, Florida (-6,100 jobs, -12%); and Nassau-Suffolk, New York (-5,100 jobs, -8%). 

Bakersfield-Delano, California, added the highest percentage of new construction jobs (23%, 3,200 jobs) followed by Yuba City, California (18%, 300 jobs); and El Centro, California (15%, 200 jobs).

Association officials cautioned that the growth in private sector construction activity taking place in some areas could be undermined by the threat of drastic tax increases next year.

View construction employment figures by state and rank.