Texas and Louisiana Have the Largest Number and Percent of 12-Month Increases, While California and Alaska Lag; Florida and New Mexico Lead in Monthly Gains, While New Jersey and Maine Have the Biggest and Steepest Losses
Construction employment rose in 32 states and the District of Columbia from April 2025 to April 2026, while 32 states added jobs between March and April, according to an analysis of new federal data released today by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials said the employment gains were a good sign but cautioned that future construction employment could be impacted if Congress fails to pass a new highway and transit bill before the current legislation expires at the end of September.
“It’s encouraging to see construction employment increasing in many parts of the country,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “But many states will struggle to maintain current employment levels later this year if Congress fails to renew federal legislation to fund highway and transit construction after the current law expires on September 30.”
Between April 2025 and April 2026, 32 states and D.C. added construction jobs, 15 states shed jobs, and employment held steady in New Hampshire, North Dakota and Rhode Island. Texas added the most construction jobs (18,700 jobs or 2.1 percent), followed by North Carolina (13,600 jobs, 4.9 percent), Ohio (13,500 jobs, 4.5 percent), Louisiana (8,000 jobs, 5.8 percent), Illinois (7,300 jobs, 3.0 percent) and Missouri (7,300 jobs, 4.9 percent). Louisiana had the largest percentage gain over 12 months, followed by West Virginia (5.7 percent, 2,000 jobs) and 4.9 percent increases in North Carolina, Missouri and Nebraska (3,100 jobs).
California lost the most construction jobs from April 2025 to April 2026 (-14,500 jobs, -1.6 percent), followed by New Jersey (-4,900 jobs, -3.0 percent), Washington (-3,500 jobs, -1.6 percent), Arizona (-3,200 jobs, -1.4 percent), Georgia (-2,300 jobs, -1.0 percent) and Mississippi (-1,800 jobs, -3.3 percent). The largest percentage loss was in Alaska (-5.6 percent, -1,100 jobs), followed by Mississippi, New Jersey and Arkansas (-1.7 percent, -1,100 jobs).
For the month, industry employment increased in 32 states, declined in 15 states, and was unchanged in New Hampshire, Oklahoma, South Dakota and D.C. Florida added the most construction jobs (6,000 jobs or 0.9 percent), followed by Texas (3,500 jobs, 0.4 percent), Massachusetts (3,100 jobs, 1.8 percent), North Carolina (2,700 jobs, 0.9 percent) and New Mexico (2,600 jobs, 4.9 percent). The largest percentage gain occurred in New Mexico, followed by Kansas (2.2 percent, 1,600 jobs), Massachusetts and Montana (1.8 percent, 700 jobs).
New Jersey lost the most construction jobs from March to April (-1,500 jobs, -0.9 percent), followed by Washington (-1,400 jobs, -0.6 percent), Georgia (-1,100 jobs, -0.5 percent), Pennsylvania (-1,100 jobs, -0.4 percent) and Arkansas (-900 jobs, -1.4 percent). The largest percentage loss was in Maine (-1.9 percent, -700 jobs), followed by Vermont (-1.2 percent, -200 jobs), New Jersey and Rhode Island (-0.9 percent, -200 jobs).
Association officials noted that the federal surface transportation bill provides the bulk of the funding state and local officials need to improve roads, bridges and transit systems. They added that those investments benefit many transportation builders while stimulating broader economic activity that helps all construction employers. But they warned that any delay in passing a new bill will make it hard for officials to plan new transportation upgrades.
“Improving our transportation system is the best way to boost economic activity and sustain these recent job gains,” said Jeffrey D. Shoaf, the association’s chief executive officer.
View April 2026 state employment data, 1-month and 12-month rankings.