While the construction industry is still struggling in some states, California contractors added more jobs than any other state in the country in 2011, according to a report by the Associated General Contractors of America.
Construction jobs in the Golden State jumped by nearly 4 percent, with an additional 21,300 positions opening up, according to the report. A good chunk of those came in December, with 4,800 jobs added.
In fact, 28 states posted gains in construction jobs during the last month of the year. Although it wasn't all good news, the remaining states cut the number of jobs, with New York alone losing 11,400.
"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," Ken Simonson, chief economist for AGCA, told the Los Angeles Times. "Public construction is likely to shrink in 2012, and there are many uncertainties about home building, office and retail construction."
One leader in the construction industry is headquartered in California. Pleasanton-based IronPlanet was founded in 1999. The online auction company is backed by Caterpillar, Komatsu, and Volvo, as well as the California-based venture capitalists Kleiner Perkins and Accel Partners. Firms who are struggling to cut costs may want to consider purchasing used construction equipment through IronPlanet, as they offer a variety of compactors and air compressors for a better price than buying new.
