That represents 7,100 construction jobs added
Alabama continues to add construction jobs.
Employment in the state rose 9 percent year-over-year in December, according to data released by the Associated General Contractors of America.
That represents 7,100 construction jobs added in the past 12 months, ranking Alabama No. 8 among the 50 states and the District of Columbia.
"Part of the reason for the positive December construction employment figures was the exceptionally harsh weather in much of December 2013 and November 2014 and milder than normal weather in December 2014," said Ken Simonson, the association's chief economist. "Nevertheless, the underlying trend is very positive, with construction employment expanding at more than double the rate for total nonfarm payroll jobs."
Month-over-month, construction employment rose 2 percent in December, a 1,800-job jump, ranking the state No. 12 in the nation in employment gains.
In December 2013, Alabama employed 78,800 workers in the construction sector.
One year later, employment rose to 85,900.
Texas led the nation with the most new jobs (47,500), a 7.7 percent gain year-over-year in December. Florida added 34,000 jobs, and Arkansas tacked on 5,800.