glegorly/iStock/Getty Images Plus
Ecmweb 25480 Gettyimages 179125086glegorly Istock Getty Images Plus
Ecmweb 25480 Gettyimages 179125086glegorly Istock Getty Images Plus
Ecmweb 25480 Gettyimages 179125086glegorly Istock Getty Images Plus
Ecmweb 25480 Gettyimages 179125086glegorly Istock Getty Images Plus
Ecmweb 25480 Gettyimages 179125086glegorly Istock Getty Images Plus

Construction Unemployment Rates Remain Low in July

Sept. 6, 2019
Although still positive, levels not as low as last year.

In July, estimated not seasonally adjusted construction unemployment rates rose nationally and in 38 states, fell in eight states, and remained unchanged in four on a year-over-year basis, according to an analysis of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data recently released by Associated Builders and Contractors. For the third consecutive month, all 50 states posted construction unemployment rates less than 10%.

The construction industry employed 201,000 more workers nationally compared to July 2018, despite a rise in the July 2019 national NSA construction unemployment rate of 0.4%, from 3.4% to 3.8%, according to BLS numbers. Because these industry-specific rates are not seasonally adjusted, national and state-level unemployment rates are best evaluated on a year-over-year basis. The monthly movement of rates still provides some information, although extra care must be used when drawing conclusions from these variations.

The national NSA construction unemployment rate fell 0.2% from June to July. A decline in the rate from June is the normal pattern since the data series began in 2000, with 14 decreases, three increases and two unchanged. Among the states, 25 had lower estimated construction unemployment rates from June; 23 were higher, and two were unchanged.

The top five states with the lowest estimated NSA construction unemployment rates in order from lowest to highest were:

1.  North Dakota and Utah (tie), 1.2%
3.  South Dakota, 1.3%
4.  Vermont, 1.7%
5.  Maine, 1.9%

All of these states except for Utah were in the top five in June. North Dakota and Utah tied for the lowest construction unemployment rate in July. For North Dakota, this was up from the third lowest rate in June and was the state’s lowest July rate since it fell to 0.8% in July 2015. For Utah, this was an improvement from eighth lowest in June, and was the state’s second lowest July rate on record, behind a rate of 1.1% in 2015. The state also had the second largest year-over-year rate decrease of 0.8%, behind a drop of 1.2% in Montana. South Dakota had the third lowest rate in July, down from second lowest in June. This was the state’s second lowest July rate on record, matching last year’s July rate and behind the 2016 rate of 1.1%. Vermont had the fourth lowest rate in July, down from the lowest rate in June. Nevertheless, this was the state’s lowest July rate on record, matching July 2018. Maine had the fifth lowest rate in July, down from fourth lowest in June. It was still the state’s lowest July rate on record.

The states with the highest estimated NSA construction unemployment rates in order from lowest to highest were:

46.  New Mexico, 6.1%
47.  Michigan, 6.4%
48.  Kentucky, 7.3%
49.  Missouri, 7.6%
50.  Mississippi, 8.3%

All of these states except for Michigan were also in the bottom five in June. For the third month in a row, Mississippi had the highest estimated construction unemployment rate. Missouri had the second highest rate in July compared to fourth highest in June. Kentucky had the third highest rate in July, an improvement from tied with Mississippi for highest in June based on revised data (originally reported as the second highest rate). Michigan had the fourth highest rate in July compared to ninth highest in June (tied with Illinois and Pennsylvania). After a rate of 5% in 2018, this was Michigan’s lowest July rate since unemployment reached 6.2% in 2001. New Mexico had the fifth highest rate in July, compared to third highest in June. After a rate of 5.7% last year, this was the state’s lowest July rate since reaching 5.2% in 2008.


To better understand the basis for calculating unemployment rates and what they measure, read the article Background on State Construction Unemployment Rates.

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of EC&M, create an account today!

Sponsored Recommendations

Electrical Conduit Comparison Chart

CHAMPION FIBERGLASS electrical conduit is a lightweight, durable option that provides lasting savings when compared to other materials. Compare electrical conduit types including...

Fiberglass Electrical Conduit Chemical Resistance Chart

This information is provided solely as a guide since it is impossible to anticipate all individual site conditions. For specific applications which are not covered in this guide...

Considerations for Direct Burial Conduit

Installation type plays a key role in the type of conduit selected for electrical systems in industrial construction projects. Above ground, below ground, direct buried, encased...

How to Calculate Labor Costs

Most important to accurately estimating labor costs is knowing the approximate hours required for project completion. Learn how to calculate electrical labor cost.