Construction jobs in the Bay State increased about 1 percent in May compared to the same month a year ago, according to a recent analysis.
A total of 108,000 people statewide held construction jobs last month, up from 106,800 in May 2010, The Associated General Contractors of America reported.
Construction employment growth nationwide remained sluggish and uneven in May as nearly half – 22 states plus the District of Columbia – added jobs over the past year while the remaining states all lost construction jobs. Twenty three states added jobs during the month, while 27 states lost jobs.
The Bay State ranked 16th nationwide in construction job growth. Michigan, which posted a 5.2 percent increase, ranked first in the country. Neighboring Rhode Island ranked 50th after posting a 10 percent drop. Nevada fared even worse with a 10.8 percent decrease. (The analysis includes the District of Columbia, but not Puerto Rico).
"It’s not surprising to see close to an even split between states adding and losing jobs given that year-over-year construction employment for May was unchanged," said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. "There just isn’t enough demand for new construction to drive nationwide boosts in construction employment."
