Rhode Island construction jobs grow

Posted on January 13, 2013

The number of Rhode Island construction jobs is swelling, according to recent labor stats.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that employment increased in health care, food services and drinking places, construction, and manufacturing in November.

The unemployment rate was unchanged at 7.8 percent, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported.

Health care employment continued to expand in December (+45,000). Job gains occurred in ambulatory health care services (+23,000), in hospitals (+12,000), and in nursing and residential care facilities (+10,000). In 2012, health care employment rose by 338,000.

In December, employment in food services and drinking places rose by 38,000. In 2012, the industry added an average of 24,000 jobs a month, essentially the same as in 2011.

Construction added 30,000 jobs in December, led by employment
increases in construction of buildings (+13,000) and in residential specialty trade contractors (+12,000).

In December, manufacturing employment rose by 25,000, with small gains in a number of component industries. In 2012, factory employment increased by 180,000; most of the growth occurred during the first quarter.

Employment in retail trade changed little in December, after
increasing by 143,000 over the prior 3 months. Within the industry,
employment in clothing and accessories stores fell by 19,000,
following gains that totaled 55,000 over the prior 3 months. Elsewhere
in retail trade, employment in automobile dealers and in food and
beverage stores continued to trend up in December.

Employment in other major industries, including mining and logging,
transportation and warehousing, financial activities, professional and
businesses services, and government, showed little change over the
month.

Nonfarm payroll employment rose by 155,000 in December, and the unemployment rate was unchanged at 7.8 percent.