Texas and Iowa Have Highest 12-Month Gains, While New York and New Jersey Have the Worst Yearly Declines; Minnesota and Idaho Top Lists of Monthly Gainers; Arizona and Alabama Experience the Worst Losses for the Month
Construction employment rose in 32 states and the District of Columbia over the past year, while 26 states and D.C. added jobs between October and November, according to an analysis of new federal data released today by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials noted that the mixed pattern of gains and losses is consistent with the results of their 2026 Construction Hiring and Business Outlook, which they will release on Thursday.
“Soaring demand for data centers, power, and selected other segments is adding to construction employment in some states,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “But uncertainty over tariffs and other policy shifts is causing many owners elsewhere to hold back on projects, leading contractors to trim their headcount.”
Between November 2024 and November 2025, 32 states and D.C. added construction jobs, while 18 states shed jobs. Texas added the most construction jobs (24,000 or 2.8 percent), followed by North Carolina (14,500 jobs, 5.3 percent), Ohio (12,600 jobs, 5.0 percent), Minnesota (10,900, 7.8 percent), and Michigan (10,400 jobs, 5.3 percent). Iowa had the largest percentage gain over 12 months (9.9 percent, 8,100 jobs), followed by North Carolina, Ohio, Minnesota, and Michigan.
New York lost the most construction jobs during the past 12 months (-18,100 jobs, -4.6 percent), followed by California (-15,900 jobs, -1.6 percent), New Jersey (-12,500 jobs, -7.5 percent), Washington (-10,700 jobs, -4.8 percent), and Nevada (-8,200 jobs, -7.3 percent). The largest percentage loss was in New Jersey, followed by Nevada, Washington, New York, and Arkansas (-3.1percent, -2,100 jobs).
For the month, industry employment increased in 26 states and D.C., declined in 21 states, and was unchanged in Maryland, Nebraska, and Oregon. Minnesota added the most construction jobs (3,200 jobs or 2.2 percent), followed by Missouri (3,100 jobs, 2.1 percent) and California (2,400 jobs, 0.3 percent). The largest percentage gain occurred in Idaho (2.3 percent, 1,800 jobs), followed by Minnesota, Missouri, and North Dakota (2.0 percent, 600 jobs).
Arizona experienced the largest decline in construction jobs from October to November (-2,900 jobs, -1.3 percent), followed by Alabama (-2,300 jobs, -2.0 percent), New York (-2,100 jobs, -0.6 percent), New Jersey (-2,000 jobs, -1.3 percent) and Florida (-2,000 jobs, -0.3 percent). Alabama lost the highest percentage of jobs for the month, followed by Montana (-1.9 percent, -700 jobs), South Dakota (-1.9 percent, -600 jobs), and Nevada (-1.6 percent, -1,700 jobs).
Association officials said they will be releasing their analysis of the industry’s predictions for 2026 construction demand and hiring needs during a virtual media briefing taking place at 1 p.m. eastern on Thursday, January 8. The briefing will be held via Zoom and is open to all media. The predictions are part of the association’s 2026 Construction Hiring and Business Outlook, which will also detail how construction firms have been impacted by tariffs and enhance immigration enforcement during the past year.
“The outlook we are releasing tomorrow provides insight into how construction contractors are feeling about the coming year,” said Jeffrey D. Shoaf, the chief executive officer of the Associated General Contractors of America. “Despite optimism about certain segments, there are a number of challenges ahead that have contractors worried.”
View November 2025 state employment data and 1-month, 12-month rankings.