According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), construction had the highest industry unemployment rate at 17.4 percent, up 8.2 percent in a year. Construction job losses totaled 79,000 in June and 992,000 since June 2008. Nonresidential building was down 1.6 percent since May and 11 percent since a year ago.
Average hourly earnings rose to $22.59, up 82 cents over 12 months.
Construction spending in May totaled $964 billion, down .9 percent from April and 12 percent a year ago.
