June not seasonally adjusted (NSA) construction unemployment rates improved in 47 states and the nation on a year-over-year basis according to analysis released today by Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC). The national construction unemployment rate of 4.6 percent was 1.7 percent lower than a year ago according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Further, the industry boasted its lowest June rate since 2000 when it matched this June’s 4.6 percent rate. BLS data also showed that the industry employed 229,000 more people than in June 2015.
“Starting in 2000, when the BLS data for this series begins, the June national NSA construction unemployment rate has fallen from May every year except 2010 when it was unchanged. This is not surprising given that this is not seasonally adjusted data and that construction activity normally continues to rise nationwide as the weather improves throughout the country. This year’s decrease of 0.6 percent from May continues this pattern,” says economist Bernard M. Markstein, Ph.D., President and Chief Economist of Markstein Advisors, who conducted the analysis for ABC.
The five states with the lowest estimated NSA construction unemployment rates in order from lowest rate to highest were:
1. Vermont
2. Colorado
3. Idaho and Iowa (tie)
5. Nebraska
Three states—Iowa, Nebraska and Vermont—were also among the top five in May.
The five states with the highest estimated NSA construction unemployment rates (from lowest to highest) were:
46. Mississippi
47. Connecticut
48. Rhode Island
49. New Mexico
50. Alabama
Alabama, New Mexico and Rhode Island were also in the bottom five in May.
View states ranked by their construction unemployment rate, their year-over-year improvement in construction employment and monthly improvement in construction employment.
Read more on ABC's website.
Related Stories
Industry Research | May 4, 2017
How your AEC firm can go from the shortlist to winning new business
Here are four key lessons to help you close more business.
Engineers | May 3, 2017
At first buoyed by Trump election, U.S. engineers now less optimistic about markets, new survey shows
The first quarter 2017 (Q1/17) of ACEC’s Engineering Business Index (EBI) dipped slightly (0.5 points) to 66.0.
Market Data | May 2, 2017
Nonresidential Spending loses steam after strong start to year
Spending in the segment totaled $708.6 billion on a seasonally adjusted, annualized basis.
Market Data | May 1, 2017
Nonresidential Fixed Investment surges despite sluggish economic in first quarter
Real gross domestic product (GDP) expanded 0.7 percent on a seasonally adjusted annualized rate during the first three months of the year.
Industry Research | Apr 28, 2017
A/E Industry lacks planning, but still spending large on hiring
The average 200-person A/E Firm is spending $200,000 on hiring, and not budgeting at all.
Architects | Apr 27, 2017
Number of U.S. architects holds steady, while professional mobility increases
New data from NCARB reveals that while the number of architects remains consistent, practitioners are looking to get licensed in multiple states.
Market Data | Apr 6, 2017
Architecture marketing: 5 tools to measure success
We’ve identified five architecture marketing tools that will help your firm evaluate if it’s on the track to more leads, higher growth, and broader brand visibility.
Market Data | Apr 3, 2017
Public nonresidential construction spending rebounds; overall spending unchanged in February
The segment totaled $701.9 billion on a seasonally adjusted annualized rate for the month, marking the seventh consecutive month in which nonresidential spending sat above the $700 billion threshold.
Market Data | Mar 29, 2017
Contractor confidence ends 2016 down but still in positive territory
Although all three diffusion indices in the survey fell by more than five points they remain well above the threshold of 50, which signals that construction activity will continue to be one of the few significant drivers of economic growth.
Industry Research | Mar 24, 2017
The business costs and benefits of restroom maintenance
Businesses that have pleasant, well-maintained restrooms can turn into customer magnets.
