Construction Economics
Construction Sept. Jobless Rate Edges Up From Aug., Dips Year Over Year
Industry added 23,000 jobs during the month, Bureau of Labor Statistics says
Construction’s September unemployment rate ticked up slightly to 5.2% from August 5.1% but fell from the year-earlier 5.6% level, the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics has reported.
Last month’s rate was the lowest September figure for the industry in the past decade. The rates aren’t adjusted for seasonal variations.
The bureau’s monthly employment report, released on Oct. 7, also showed that the construction workforce gained 23,000 jobs in September.
All but one construction segment posted jobs increases last month, led by residential building, which picked up 7,900 positions, and residential specialty trade contractors, which added 7,800.
Heavy-civil engineering construction gained 4,300 jobs.
Non-residential building was the only segment that lost jobs in September, recording a decline of 4,200.
Architectural and engineering services, which BLS categorizes separately from construction, added 1,500 positions in September.
The overall U.S. unemployment rate edged up to 5% for September from August’s 4.9%. But it was a slight improvement over September 2015’s 5.1%. The economy added 156,000 jobs last month, BLS said.
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