Construction firms added jobs in 34 states and the District of Columbia between August 2016 and August 2017, according to an analysis of US Department of Labor data released today by the Associated General Contractors of America. Thirty states added construction jobs between July and August amid strong demand for construction work in most parts of the country.

Rhode Island posted the largest year-over-year percentage increase in construction employment at 17.6%. However, California led in terms of total number of jobs added with 47,400 jobs added year over year.

Association officials said that more states likely would have added new construction jobs except for the fact 70% of firms report having a hard time finding craft workers to hire.

“Firms in most states are expanding their headcount to keep pace with growing demand for many types of construction projects,” said Ken Simonson, chief economist for the association. “While it is too early to tell what impacts Hurricanes Harvey and Irma will have on the sector’s workforce, there are not a lot of unemployed, experienced workers available to travel to Texas or Florida to help communities rebuild.”