Eye On Housing
Total nonfarm employment, seasonally adjusted (SA) increased by 2.6 million jobs, year-over-year (YoY), or 1.8% from April 2018 to April 2019. During this time, total nonfarm employment in the Western region increased by 2.0%. The South, Northeast, and Midwest recorded gains at 1.7%, 1.2% and 1.0% respectively, during this time.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, nonfarm payroll employment increased in 41, decreased in eight states and the District of Columbia in April 2019 compared to March 2019. South Dakota remained unchanged. California added 46,000 jobs, which was the largest gain of any state. The largest decline came from Georgia which lost 14,900 jobs during this time. Nationwide, total nonfarm payroll employment increased by 263,000 over the month of April, stronger than the revised down estimate of 189,000 jobs added in March.
Year-over-year, ending in April, all 50 states and the District of Columbia increased in employment. Texas added 294,200 workers while the smallest gain came from Louisiana which added 1,100 workers during this time. In percentage terms, 12 states recorded annualized growth equal to and/or above 1.8% in employment, which was the national growth rate. Nevada recorded the highest growth rate at 3.6%. The other 38 states and the District of Columbia recorded annualized growth between 0.1%-1.7%.
In the construction sector specifically, which includes both residential and non-residential construction, across the 48 states which reported construction sector jobs data, 30 states had an increase in April, 15 states reported a decline, and three states remained unchanged compared to March. The total construction industry gained 33,000 jobs in April. Illinois added 7,500 jobs, the highest gains in construction employees while Wisconsin lost 2,400 workers during this time.
Year-over-year, the U.S added 256,000 construction sector jobs which is a 3.5% increase compared to April 2018. Texas added 32,500, which was the largest gains of any state while Louisiana lost 8,400, which was the largest decline of any state. In percentage terms, West Virginia had the highest annual growth in construction sector by 33.7%. Over this period, Vermont reported the largest decline at 7.2%.
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