Florida leads U.S. in construction job gains

The construction employment rebound continues in Florida, which led all states in both percentage gain and total jobs in March.

Construction firms in the state added 41,000 jobs between March 2013 and March 2014, an 11.5% increase, according to an analysis of U.S. Labor Department data from the Associated General Contractors of America. In total, firms in 38 states added construction jobs over the last year, including big gains in California, Minnesota, Oregon and Texas. West Virginia and New Jersey had the largest drop in construction employment, the organization reports.

“The widespread gains in employment from a year ago are encouraging, given the tough winter many states experienced right through March,” Associated General Contractors of America Chief Economist Ken Simonson says in the release.

Despite the growth, AGC officials say the industry can add even more workers. The association, in the release, calls for more training programs and less government interference. “With each passing month, it becomes clearer that contractors in most states are hiring both experienced and new workers,” Associated General Contractors of America CEO Stephen Sandherr says in the release. “It is essential for federal, state and local officials to clear roadblocks and adopt policies that will attract more workers into the industry.”