Forty-three states added construction jobs year-over-year in February, with Florida leading the pack, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of Labor Department data.

Florida added 34,700 jobs, a 7.5% increase year-over-year in February, followed by California (16,500 jobs, 2.2%); Texas (14,200 jobs, 2%); and Louisiana (13,500 jobs, 9.6%).

Rhode Island added the highest percentage of new construction jobs during the past year (12.2%, 2,200 jobs), followed by Idaho (10.4%, 4,200 jobs); Oregon (10%, 8,900 jobs) and Louisiana.

"A combination of solid demand and unseasonably mild weather added to construction employment in more states than usual in February," said Ken Simonson, chief economist for the association. "But conditions vary widely. Five states set new records for construction employment, while more than half the states are still at least 10% below their all-time highs."

Meanwhile, construction employment declined in 10 states during the past month and was unchanged in D.C. and New Mexico. Virginia shed more construction jobs than any other state (-3,200 jobs, -1.7%), followed by South Carolina (-2,600 jobs, -2.6%) and Mississippi (-1,600 jobs, -3.7%).

Association officials said that many firms continue to face shortages of available qualified workers as they try to keep pace with growing demand.

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