The number of construction jobs in South Carolina climbed 4.3% in June compared with the same month’s total in 2012, according to an analysis of U.S. Labor Department data by the Associated General Contractors of America. Last month, the Palmetto state’s construction industry accounted for 80,500 jobs compared with 77,200 positions in June 2012, the analysis showed. Meanwhile, construction jobs increased by 1,100, or 1.4%, in June compared with May’s level, reports GSA Business.
The percentage increase between May and June was the 12th largest nationally, the association reported. The report added that South Carolina ranked 18th among states in percentage gain between 2012 and 2013. “On a year-over-year basis, construction employment has increased in more than two-thirds of the states, but nearly all states lag their prerecession peaks for construction jobs,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist, in a news release.
The construction industry remains fragile, the association added, as private sector demand has cooled recently even as public sector investments in construction remain relatively weak. Read More.
