0.9 million construction jobs lost in US

More than 0.9 million US construction jobs were lost in the year to February 2009. Data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics show the states of Arizona, Florida and Vermont were hardest hit in percentage terms, with a fall of -10% or more in construction employment. California suffered the worst in absolute terms, with the loss of 155000 jobs.

Only three states - Arkansas, Louisiana and Oklahoma - have seen a rise in construction employment since February 2008, and these increases have been modest. Arkansas and Oklahoma have seen less than 100 construction jobs created each. Louisiana has been stronger, with 10900 new jobs, equating to a +8.2% rise.

The short-term trend has been more encouraging, with nine states seeing construction employment rise in February compared to January, thanks in part to the seasonal nature of the industry. The strongest risers in this group were Indiana, Louisiana and Nebraska.

At the other end of the scale, there were month-on-month falls in employment of -4% or more in six states, with California, Kentucky and Vermont hardest hit. California also suffered the worst in absolute terms, with 30900 jobs going in February.

Overall more than 132000 construction jobs were lost in February, a -2.0% fall on January.