Construction Employment Increases In 31 States And D.C. From July 2024 To July 2025

CONSTRUCTION EMPLOYMENT INCREASES IN 31 STATES AND D.C. FROM JULY 2024 TO JULY 2025; WHILE 22 STATES ADD CONSTRUCTION JOBS FROM JUNE TO JULY

Arlington, VA - Construction employment increased in 31 states and the District of Columbia in July from a year earlier, while 22 states added construction jobs between June and July, according to a new analysis of federal employment data released by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials said construction employment continues to be impacted by a range of changing federal policies on trade, funding and labor.

“The number of states with construction job gains continues to slip, on both a monthly and a year-over-year basis,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “Owners have delayed project starts in the face of ever-changing tariff, funding, and labor force policies, while contractors are experiencing sudden losses of workers.”

Between July 2024 and July 2025, 31 states and D.C. added construction jobs, and 19 states shed jobs. Texas added the most construction jobs (27,000 jobs or 3.2 percent), followed by Ohio (13,600 jobs, 5.5 percent), Michigan (10,100 jobs, 5.1 percent), and North Carolina (10,000 jobs, 3.7 percent). New Mexico had the largest percentage gain over 12 months (14.3 percent, 7,700 jobs), followed by West Virginia (12.3 percent, 4,100 jobs), Idaho (8.5 percent, 6,100 jobs), Alaska (7.7 percent, 1,400 jobs) and Kentucky (6.4 percent, 6,000 jobs).

California lost the most construction jobs during the past 12 months (-18,200 jobs, -2.0 percent), followed by Washington (-9,600 jobs, -4.3 percent), New Jersey (-8,000 jobs, -4.9 percent), New York (-6,300 jobs, -1.6 percent), and Maryland (-4,100 jobs, -2.5 percent). The largest percentage loss was in New Jersey, followed by Washington, Arkansas (-2.7 percent, -1,800 jobs), Wyoming (-2.5 percent, -600 jobs), Vermont (-2.5 percent, -400 jobs) and Maryland.

For the month, industry employment increased in 22 states, declined in 22 states, and was unchanged in six states and D.C. Colorado added the most construction jobs (3,800 jobs or 2.1 percent), followed by Oregon (2,900 jobs), 2.6 percent), Illinois (2,900 jobs, 1.2 percent), Texas (2,800 jobs, 0.3 percent), and Georgia (2,100 jobs, 0.9 percent). The largest percentage gain occurred in Oregon, followed by Arkansas (2.2 percent, 1,400 jobs), Colorado, West Virginia (1.6 percent, 600 jobs), and South Dakota (1.3 percent, 400 jobs).

California experienced the largest decline in construction jobs from June to July, (-3,300 jobs, -0.4 percent). This was followed by New Jersey (-1,600 jobs, -1.0 percent), Missouri (-1,500 jobs, -1.0 percent), and Ohio (-1,400 jobs, -0.5 percent). Wyoming lost the highest percentage of jobs for the month (-3.4 percent, -800 jobs), followed by North Dakota (-2.0 percent, -600 jobs), New Jersey, Missouri, and Oklahoma (-0.9 percent, -800 jobs).

Association officials noted that private sector developers appear to be delaying or cancelling some projects amid uncertainty about construction costs amid ongoing questions about future interest and tariff rates. They continued to urge the Trump administration to conclude trade agreements that will provide more certainty about tariff rates. They also urged the administration to refocus its immigration enforcement activities on undocumented workers who are engaged in additional criminal activity.

“The more the administration can do to eliminate economic uncertainty, the more private sector demand is likely to rebound,” Simonson noted.

View July 2025 state employment data and 1-month, 12-month rankings.

About The Associated General Contractors Of America

The Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) is a leading association for the construction industry. AGC represents more than 26,000 firms, including over 6,500 of America’s leading general contractors, and over 9,000 specialty-contracting firms. More than 10,500 service providers and suppliers are also associated with AGC, all through a nationwide network of chapters. To learn more, visit www.agc.org.