The Southwest construction job market continues to sizzle.

 

Following June’s surge in new construction jobs in Arizona and Nevada, data released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reveals New Mexico paced the nation by adding 1,000 construction jobs, 2.1%. According to analysis by the Associated General Contractors. Month-over-month in Nevada, 1,600 jobs were added, 1.8%, good enough for No. 2 in the nation. Arizona only added 300 construction jobs month-over month, No. 26 in the nation at 0.2%.

 

Year-over, year, however, Nevada places No. 1 among percentage of job growth in the U.S. with 9,100 jobs, 10.9%. Arizona’s percentage growth of construction jobs year-over-year is No. 3 in the nation with 14,600 jobs, 10%. New Mexico ranks No. 6 in the nation in percentage construction job growth with 3,900 jobs added, 8.6%.

 

Chief Economist Ken Simonson says construction job gains over the past year were more widespread across the United States than at any time since the beginning of 2016.

 

“These results show that contractors are still optimistic about future construction activity,” Simonson says. “But it will be hard to sustain the increases unless more students learn of these opportunities and receive appropriate training.”

 

In July 2018 a total of 162,500 people were employed in the construction industry, the state Office of Economic Opportunity reports. Of the 800 jobs added in July, 600 were in Maricopa County.

 

Some notable projects underway in the Grand Canyon State include the LGE Design Build headquarters in Phoenix, Orbital and Intel campuses in Chandler and the Azure Mesa memory care facility.

 

According to the state’s Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation, year-to-date construction-industry activity created 7,000 new jobs. In July, 92,400 were employed in the construction industry. The construction industry has added more jobs than any other industry year-to-date.

 

Along with the Raiders Stadium, 2018 has been a big year for massive projects in Las Vegas, including the Convention Center expansion, Resorts World International and a Sephora warehouse.

 

In Reno, the Park Lane project has caused considerable buzz with a mixture of residential living, retail and a boutique hotel.

 

There are more than 49,000 employed in the construction industry, according to the Department of Workforce Solutions.

 

New Mexico has landed its share of major projects over the last few years, including the Facebook data center is Los Lunas, along with major housing and retail projects in Albuquerque, Las Cruces and Santa Fe.