California added the most construction jobs in nation in December

From the small-signs-of-hope department: More people are finding work in construction these days, particularly in California.

Construction employment improved in 28 states in December compared with a year earlier, the largest number of states to post year-over-year gains since November 2007, according to the Associated General Contractors of America, which based its analysis on Labor Department data.

California led the way with 21,300 new construction jobs, or a 3.9% increase.

“It is encouraging that a clear majority of states added jobs during 2011, but it is too early to conclude that the industry is on a steady upswing,” said Ken Simonson, the group’s chief economist.

“Public construction is likely to shrink in 2012,” he said, “and there are many uncertainties about home building, office and retail construction.”

Seasonally adjusted construction employment rose in 22 states in December compared with November. California again added the most jobs at 4,800, or a 0.8% increase.

Twenty-five states lost construction jobs last month on a seasonally adjusted basis; New York was the biggest loser, with 11,400 jobs erased, or a 3.6% decline.

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