California Construction News staff writer
Construction employment in California has seen a notable increase over the past year, aligning with a broader trend across the nation.
According to a recent analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC), construction jobs in California have benefited from a surge in demand, contributing to a nationwide growth where 40 states reported increases in construction employment from September 2023 to September 2024.
California’s construction sector, while not leading the pack, has added thousands of jobs, benefiting from a robust housing market and infrastructure projects spurred by state and federal investments. The state remains a critical player in the construction landscape, supported by a diverse array of projects, including residential buildings, commercial developments, and infrastructure enhancements.
Across the U.S., Texas led the way in job additions, with an impressive 42,300 new construction positions (5.1%) over the year. Florida and Ohio also saw substantial gains. In stark contrast, New York and Oregon experienced significant losses, with New York shedding 6,900 jobs and Oregon losing 4,800.
For the month of September, 24 states, including California, added jobs, while 23 states saw declines. Texas again topped the monthly gains with 8,100 jobs added, followed by Ohio and Florida.
Industry officials are raising alarms about a persistent workforce shortage that may hinder future growth.
“Even more states would be seeing gains if there were enough qualified workers available to fill job openings,” AGC Chief Economist Ken Simonson said in a statement.
The call for increased funding for workforce training and education is echoed by AGC’s leadership, who are urging Congress to prioritize initiatives that would expand educational opportunities in construction-related fields.
“Investing in construction education and training will empower more individuals to pursue high-paying careers in this vital sector,” said Jeffrey D. Shoaf, AGC’s CEO. “This is essential as we work to meet the demands of our expanding infrastructure and housing projects.”
