Construction Loses 975,000 Jobs in April Due to COVID-19 Impacts

(May 13, 2020) - Construction’s workforce plunged by 975,000 in April—the steepest drop since at least the late 1930s—and the industry’s jobless rate soared to 16.6%, quantifying the first full month’s impact of the coronavirus pandemic. The Bureau of Labor Statistics’ latest monthly U.S. employment report, released on May 8, painted a grim picture, showing that construction’s total workforce fell in April by 13% from the March level. The BLS report is based on data as of mid-April and thus does not reflect the impact of postponements or reopenings of construction projects in various states since that time. Construction economists say the 975,000 jobs lost is most severe one-month drop ever.

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