On an annual basis, total nonfarm employment in November increased by 2.5 million jobs, which is a 1.7% increase compared to November 2017. During this time, total nonfarm employment in the Western region increased by 2.3% and in the Southern region by 2.2%. The Midwest and the Northeast recorded the lowest gains at 1.3% during this time.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, nonfarm payroll employment increased in 37 states, decreased in 13 states and the District of Columbia in November 2018 compared to October 2018. Nationwide, total nonfarm payroll employment increased by 176,000 (revised up in December) over the month of November, lower than the increase of 237,000 jobs in October.

Year-over-year, ending in November, 48 states and the District of Columbia increased in employment while Alaska and Vermont, lost payroll employment. Twenty-four states recorded annualized growth equal to and/or above 1.7% in employment, which was the national growth rate. Nevada recorded the highest growth rate at 3.8%, adding 51,900 workers during this time. Twenty-four states recorded annualized growth between 0.9%-1.6%. District of Columbia recorded no change, while Alaska and Vermont recorded declines of 0.2% and 0.4% respectively.

In the construction sector specifically, which includes both residential and non-residential construction, across the 44 states which reported construction sector jobs data, 21 states had an increase in November, 19 states reported a decline, and four states remained unchanged compared to October.

Year-over-year, the U.S added 284,000 construction sector jobs which is a 4.0% increase compared to November 2017. Wyoming had the highest annual growth in construction sector by 15.2%. Arizona (12.3%) and Nevada (11.7%) round out the top three. Over this period, South Carolina reported the largest decline at 3.0%, followed by Missouri (-2.7%) and New Jersey (-1.4%).

Tags: economics, state and local markets, state employment