Construction job growth in Idaho remains strong if not scintillating

Construction job growth over last year ranged from 4 to 8 percent in June across most of Idaho, bringing the statewide total of construction workers to 47,500, according to the Associated General Contractors of America.

Idaho as a whole ranked No. 13 with a 6.0 gain in construction jobs June over June, a typical spot the Gem State has found itself in over the past year or two after ranking No. 1 and 2 several times in 2014 and 2015. The states ahead of Idaho are a mix of western states, small northeastern states and Georgia and Michigan.

Boise ranked No. 170 out of 357 metro areas with a 4 percent gain in construction jobs in June to 23,600. Boise, not just Idaho, found itself at No. 1 or No. 2 in job growth gains among cities in 2016.

The job gain numbers in Idaho are still strong even if they don’t put the state at the top, said Wayne Hammon, executive of the Idaho Associated General Contractors.

“We are holding our own,” Hammon said. “There’s a lot of work going on. Contractors are busy. They are actively hiring. I think we’re going to be busy for a long time.”

The U.S. Census Bureau recently said Idaho is the No. 1 fastest-growing state in population.

Coeur d’Alene ranked No. 62 with an 8 percent job gain. Idaho Falls and Lewiston each are No. 83 with 7 percent gains, but Pocatello ranked No. 273 with no gain or loss.