Construction’s unemployment rate jumped from 17.4% in June to 18.2% in July, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The July rate was 10% above a year ago and well above the average July unemployment rate of 6% between 2004 and 2007. July’s unemployment rate represents 1.687 million blue-collar and white-collar workers who are out of work.

SOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Construction unemployment rate for July