Report: 18,900 construction jobs lost during past year

Las Vegas construction employment declined by 19.8 percent, or 18,900 jobs, from a year ago, a second-quarter report from Associated General Contractors of America showed.

The metropolitan area was ranked No. 307, tied with Atlanta, for the largest 12-month change in construction employment from June 2008.

All but 19 of the 352 areas surveyed by AGC showed construction job losses. Reno-Sparks was No. 351 on the list with a 33.3 percent decrease, or 5,800 jobs. Pascagoula, Miss., was worst with a 35.8 percent decrease (2,400 jobs).

The analysis, based on employment numbers reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, shows that few places in America have been spared the widespread downturn in construction employment over the past year.

"Construction workers remain, unfortunately, on the leading edge of job losses during this recession," said Ken Simonson, chief economist for the contractors association. "While other sectors of the economy have been hit hard, construction employment has been devastated."

More than 200 metropolitan areas suffered double-digit percentage declines in construction employment in the past 12 months, Simonson noted.

Contact reporter Hubble Smith at hsmith@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0491.