Construction Jobs: Texas and New Mexico Soar, California and Nevada Crash!

Ladies and gentlemen, buckle up! The construction industry is in the midst of a wild ride, and the latest employment data is a rollercoaster of gains and losses. Let's dive into the numbers and see who's winning and who's losing in this high-stakes game.

Texas and New Mexico: The Winners!

Texas and New Mexico are leading the pack with the highest 12-month gains in construction jobs. Texas added a whopping 18,500 jobs, a 2.2% increase, while New Mexico saw a staggering 13.3% gain, adding 7,200 jobs. These states are on fire, and it's all thanks to federal investments and a booming economy. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), and the CHIPS Act have poured billions into these states, driving construction activity to new heights. If you're looking for growth, growth, growth, these are the states to watch!

California and Nevada: The Losers!

On the other side of the coin, California and Nevada are experiencing the worst yearly declines in construction jobs. California lost 16,900 jobs, a 1.9% decrease, while Nevada saw a 6.4% drop, losing 7,100 jobs. These states are struggling with high costs of living, strict regulations, and labor shortages. It's a tough market out there, and these states are feeling the pain. If you're invested in these states, it's time to rethink your strategy!

Florida and Mississippi: The Monthly Gainers!

Florida and Mississippi are the top monthly gainers, with Florida adding 3,600 jobs and Mississippi seeing a 3.1% increase, adding 1,600 jobs. These states are hot, hot, hot, and it's all thanks to a surge in construction activity. If you're looking for a quick win, these are the states to watch!

Nevada: The Monthly Loser!

Nevada is the biggest loser for the month, with a 4.1% decline, losing 4,400 jobs. It's a tough market out there, and Nevada is feeling the pain. If you're invested in this state, it's time to rethink your strategy!

The Big Picture

The construction industry is facing a labor shortage crisis, with 92% of firms struggling to fill open positions. This is the number one cause for delayed construction projects, and it's a problem that's not going away anytime soon. Federal leaders need to step up and boost funding for construction education and training, and create more lawful pathways for people to enter the country to work in construction. The lack of qualified workers is making it harder for the economy to expand, and it's a problem that needs to be addressed NOW!

So, what's the takeaway? Texas and New Mexico are the winners, California and Nevada are the losers, and Florida and Mississippi are the monthly gainers. Nevada is the monthly loser, and the construction industry is facing a labor shortage crisis. It's a wild ride out there, and it's time to buckle up and get ready for the rollercoaster!