It is no secret that construction has boomed in the south and southwest.  However, the nuances of the construction industry extend well beyond regional differences.  There are also significant differences between construction labor markets between individual states.

Construction Industry Unemployment is Down

The overarching trend is a reduction in unemployment across all regions and states.  Construction industry employment has been around 2% or less in 10 states.  Construction unemployment was particularly high in the enigma that is New Mexico, coming in at slightly more than 6%.

Zoom out for a macro view of the market and you will find the national unemployment rate for the construction industry was a solid 3.7% in summer’s initial month of June.  These facts and figures pertaining to states for construction employment are provided by the Associated Builders and Contractors along with the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The Highs and Lows of the Construction Industry Labor Market

Construction industry insiders shift the spotlight on the extremes of the labor market to emphasize opportunities for employment, advancement and career development differ by context.  As an example, the hottest states for construction workers in terms of average pay include Hawaii, coming in with an average construction industry annual salary around $70,000 and Illinois with an average yearly salary of more than $68,000.  The rest of the best states for construction employment include:

  • New York
  • Alaska
  • New Jersey
  • Washington
  • Connecticut
  • Minnesota
  • California
  • Massachusetts

The bottom of this group in Connecticut is home to construction workers who earn an average annual salary of more than $60,000.  It is worth noting that construction industry financial compensation should be considered in accordance with each state’s respective cost of living.

States such as New York, Massachusetts, New Jersey and Connecticut have a comparably high cost of living.  The best way to find construction industry jobs in these states is with the assistance of a recruiter.  Recruiters specialize in bridging the gap between construction industry insiders with years of experience and job-seekers willing to earn their keep.

States for Construction Employment With Lower Wages and Salaries

Let’s shift our focus to the states with the lowest average annual construction worker salary.  Georgia, a state receiving an influx of residents, ranks 10th in terms of states with the lowest average construction worker salary, coming in at nearly $44,000.  South Carolina follows Georgia with the ninth lowest average construction worker salary, giving way to:

  • Alabama
  • Idaho
  • Tennessee
  • North Carolina
  • Florida
  • South Dakota
  • Mississippi
  • Arkansas

Hardworking men and women in the Arkansas construction industry earn an average annual salary of slightly less than $40,000 per year.  Though this figure might seem strikingly low, Arkansas has a low cost of living that empowers locals to make the most of their hard-earned money.

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