Washington and Oregon joined 36 other states and Washington, D.C. that gained construction jobs between July 2015 and July 2016. However, neither state joined the 22 states and Washington D.C., that added jobs month-over-month in July, according to seasonally-adjusted numbers from the Associated General Contractors of America.

 

Alaska lost construction jobs between July 2015 and July 2016.

 

A lack of qualified labor continues to plague the industry, according to a survey conducted by the Associated General Contractors of America. It states that two-thirds of construction employers are having a difficult time finding candidates to fill craft positions.

 

Washington
Washington’s construction employment was down month-over-month in July as the state shed 1,700 jobs, according to seasonally-adjusted numbers included in the state’s monthly employment report. Overall employment in the state fared better in July, buoyed by the addition of 3,600 jobs in the government sector. The state added 2,600 non-farm jobs between June and July despite losing 1,000 jobs in the private sector

 

The yearly employment trend in construction was positive as the state added 11,400 jobs between July 2015 and July 2016. That yearly growth rate of 6.6% ranks sixth nationally, according to the Associated General Contractors of America. Of those jobs added, 6,700 came from specialty trade contractors.

 

Washington’s unemployment rate remained unchanged between June and July at 5.8%, 0.2% higher than the state’s rate a year ago and 0.9% higher than the national average.

 

Oregon
Much like Washington, Oregon’s overall employment grew between June and July but that growth did not extend to the construction industry. While the state added 3,800 jobs during that time span, the construction industry lost 1,100 jobs, according to seasonally-adjusted numbers from the state’s monthly employment press release.

 

Health care and social assistance, professional and business services, leisure and hospitality, transportation, and warehousing and utilities all experience significant employment growth in the month. Construction and manufacturing experienced the largest seasonally-adjusted job losses.

 

On a year over year basis, the construction sector in Oregon added 5,000 jobs. The state’s 6.1% employment growth rate in construction ranks 14th nationally, according to the Associated General Contractors of America.

 

Oregon’s unemployment rate grew by 0.4% between June and July to 5.2% as the state experiences a surge in its labor force. The state’s unemployment rate dropped 0.6% between July 2015 and July 2016.

 

Alaska
Employment in Alaska shrunk by 1.3% between July 2015 and July 2016. The state also lost 500 construction jobs over that span, according to the Associated General Contractors of America. That equates to a -2.8% yearly job growth rate, which ranks 43rd nationally. Construction, oil and gas and professional business services experienced significant job losses year over year, according to the state’s monthly employment press release.

 

On a monthly basis, construction employment remained stagnant in July as the state did not gain or lose any jobs.

 

Alaska’s unemployment rate remained steady 6.7% between June and July. That rate is 0.2% higher than the state’s unemployment rate in July 2015.