R.I. ranks 30th for construction job growth in November

ARLINGTON, Va. – Construction employment in Rhode Island rose 2.6 percent in November compared with the same period last year, adding 400 jobs for a total of 15,700 jobs, the Associated General Contractors of America reported Friday.

Rhode Island ranked 30th among the U.S. states and Washington, D.C., for highest percentage of jobs gained between November 2012 and November 2013.

Massachusetts, which added 5,700 jobs, or 4.9 percent, since November of last year, ranked 16th. Construction jobs in the Bay State totaled 121,000 in November, the AGC reported.

On a year-over-year basis, 39 states experienced growth in construction jobs in November, while 10 states and the District of Columbia lost jobs. Mississippi led the country with a 17 percent increase, adding 8,000 jobs, followed by Connecticut with an increase of 11 percent, or 5,600 jobs, and Missouri, with an increase of 9.8 percent, or 10,100 jobs.

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“At this point, it is hard to predict whether construction employment will continue to expand in many states next year,” said Stephen E. Sandherr, CEO of the Associated General Contractors of America. “Passing vital infrastructure measures will help protect construction employers from any softening in private sector demand, while giving the economy a needed boost.”

On a monthly basis, between October and November, the AGC noted that construction employment increased in 30 states, decreased in 16 states and held steady in four states and the District of Columbia. In Rhode Island, the industry experienced a 1.3 percent decline in construction employment over the month, a loss of 200 jobs.

Massachusetts posted a gain of 200 construction jobs between October and November, an increase of 0.2 percent.

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