Based on reporting by St. Louis Fed FRED Economic Research. Research, structure, and fact-checking by Groundwork.
Seasonal weather affects construction employment, with warmer temperatures and longer days allowing for more construction work during the summer months.
Based on reporting by St. Louis Fed FRED Economic Research. Research, structure, and fact-checking by Groundwork.
“The patterns observed in construction employment between Kentucky and Minnesota highlight the importance of considering seasonal weather patterns when analyzing labor market trends. By understanding these patterns, policymakers and industry leaders can make more informed decisions about labor market trends and construction industry development.”
Construction employment peaks in the summer months and declines in the winter months, but the extent of these fluctuations varies significantly across states.
Construction employment is often tied to seasonal weather patterns, with warmer temperatures and longer days allowing for more construction work during the summer months. However, the impact of seasonal weather on construction employment can differ significantly depending on the state and region. In this article, we'll explore how seasonal weather affects construction employment in two states: Kentucky and Minnesota.
The Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago conducted a 2018 research piece that highlighted the differences in seasonal fluctuations in construction employment across states. To illustrate this point, we've created a FRED graph that shows monthly employment data reported by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics for construction workers in Kentucky and Minnesota between May 2016 and June 2026.
[Insert FRED graph here]
The solid lines in the graph represent the actual number of employed construction workers in each state, while the dashed lines represent the same employment figures adjusted for seasonal fluctuations. The graph shows that both states experience a peak in construction employment in the summer months, but the extent of these fluctuations differs significantly.
Seasonal weather patterns play a significant role in construction employment, particularly in states with extreme temperature variations. In Minnesota, for example, the winter months can be particularly harsh, with temperatures often dropping below freezing and snowfall common. This can limit the amount of construction work that can be done during the winter months, resulting in a more pronounced seasonal fluctuation.
In contrast, Kentucky experiences milder winters, with temperatures rarely dropping below freezing. This allows for more construction work to be done during the winter months, resulting in a less pronounced seasonal fluctuation.
To better understand the seasonal fluctuations in construction employment, we've created a second FRED graph that plots the size of the seasonal changes in employment as a fraction of the seasonally adjusted employment figures between May 2016 and June 2026.
David Sterling (2026). How does seasonal weather affect construction employment?. Groundwork. Retrieved from https://gworky.com/article/seasonal-weather-construction-employment
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Seasonal weather can affect construction employment differently depending on the state and region. In states with harsher winters, such as Minnesota, construction employment may decline more significantly during the winter months. In contrast, states with milder winters, such as Kentucky, may experience a less pronounced seasonal fluctuation.
David Sterling is a personal finance writer covering mortgages, banking, insurance, and investing for Groundwork. He turns complex financial research into practical decisions.
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[Insert FRED graph here]
The graph shows that both states experience a similar overall pattern, with increases in construction employment through August and declines until February. However, the graph also highlights a significant difference between the two states: the seasonal range in Minnesota is much wider than in Kentucky. This suggests that Minnesota experiences a more pronounced seasonal fluctuation in construction employment due to its harsher winters.
The patterns observed in construction employment between Kentucky and Minnesota offer valuable insights into the impact of seasonal weather on construction employment. By understanding these patterns, policymakers and industry leaders can make more informed decisions about labor market trends and construction industry development.
For example, policymakers in Minnesota may need to consider providing additional support for construction workers during the winter months, such as training programs or financial assistance. In contrast, policymakers in Kentucky may need to focus on promoting construction work during the winter months, such as by offering incentives for contractors to work during this time.
Seasonal weather plays a significant role in construction employment, with warmer temperatures and longer days allowing for more construction work during the summer months. However, the impact of seasonal weather on construction employment can differ significantly depending on the state and region. By understanding these patterns, policymakers and industry leaders can make more informed decisions about labor market trends and construction industry development.
Construction employment is often tied to seasonal weather patterns, with warmer temperatures and longer days allowing for more construction work during the summer months. However, the impact of seasonal weather on construction employment can differ significantly depending on the state and region.
The patterns observed in construction employment between Kentucky and Minnesota highlight the importance of considering seasonal weather patterns when analyzing labor market trends. By understanding these patterns, policymakers and industry leaders can make more informed decisions about labor market trends and construction industry development.
A: Seasonal weather can affect construction employment differently depending on the state and region. In states with harsher winters, such as Minnesota, construction employment may decline more significantly during the winter months. In contrast, states with milder winters, such as Kentucky, may experience a less pronounced seasonal fluctuation.
A: Policymakers can consider providing additional support for construction workers during the winter months, such as training programs or financial assistance. This can help mitigate the impact of seasonal weather on construction employment and support the development of the construction industry.
A: Industry leaders can consider offering incentives for contractors to work during the winter months, such as by providing tax breaks or other forms of financial assistance. This can help promote construction work during the winter months and support the development of the construction industry.
Policymakers can consider providing additional support for construction workers during the winter months, such as training programs or financial assistance. This can help mitigate the impact of seasonal weather on construction employment and support the development of the construction industry.
Industry leaders can consider offering incentives for contractors to work during the winter months, such as by providing tax breaks or other forms of financial assistance. This can help promote construction work during the winter months and support the development of the construction industry.
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