WASHINGTON — The construction industry continued to add jobs in August, moving upward in employment from 6,803,000 to 6,822,000, according to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Since February, the construction industry has added an average of 20,000 jobs per month, reports the Bureau. In August, gains occurred both in heavy construction and in the specialty trades.

Manufacturing and wholesale trade employment continued to decline, notes the Bureau. Since July 2000, manufacturing employment has declined continuously, shedding nearly 16 percent of its jobs. Since its most recent peak in March 2000, wholesale trade employment has decreased by 423,000.

Publication date: 09/22/2003