The construction industry lost 7,000 jobs in March, inching the unemployment rate up to 17.2% from 17.1 percent in February, according to the April 6 Department of Labor employment report, Associated Builders and Contractors reported.

Year over year, however, construction industry unemployment is down compared with the March 2011 rate of 20%. The industry added 55,000 jobs over the past 12 months.

ABC said the nonresidential construction sector lost 6,000 jobs for the month, but year over year added 7,000 jobs, bringing the total number of jobs to 659,400.

Residential construction lost 5,000 jobs for the month and added 3,000 jobs during the past 12 months to reach 569,000 jobs.