Construction jobs dip slightly in state

Arkansas was one of 15 states that shed construction jobs in January compared with January 2017, according to an analysis of U.S. Labor Department data released Monday by the Associated General Contractors of America.

Seasonally adjusted construction employment in the state fell to 51,000 in January from the 51,100 construction jobs in the same month a year ago.

Arkansas ranked 38th among the 50 states and the District of Columbia in construction job growth in the 12 months ending in January.

State construction employment was slightly worse from December to January, falling 0.2 percent, a decline of 300 jobs.

The state with the biggest job loss in construction was North Dakota, which shed 4,600 jobs in January compared with January 2017.

The contractor group said poor weather played a significant role in the 15.8 percent decline.

West Virginia gained the most jobs in January, 4,300, or 14.4 percent more than the same month a year ago.