The entire economy is reeling from the recession, but construction particularly has been hit hard. In June, the total construction unemployment rate was 17.4%, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. By comparison, the unemployment rate for the overall economy was 10%. Both numbers are not seasonally adjusted. Construction employment rose only in North Dakota and Louisiana, up 5% and 4%, respectively. Jobs disappeared at an alarming rate in the remaining 48 states, including year-to-year declines of 26% in Arizona, 23% in Nevada, 22% in Connecticut and 20% in Tennessee, according to BLS. The impact of federal stimulus spending is expected to ease job losses in the second half of the year.

Source: Bureau of labor statistics. Construction unemployment rate for June.