Texas and Wisconsin Have the Largest Number and Percent of 12-Month Increases, While California and New Mexico Lag; Texas and Idaho Top Monthly Gainers, While Massachusetts and Montana Have the Biggest and Steepest Losses
Construction employment increased in 30 states and the District of Columbia from May 2025 to May 2026, while 23 states and D.C. added jobs between April and May, according to an analysis of new federal data released today by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials cautioned, however, that two of the biggest drivers of construction demand, data center construction and highway and transportation projects, face political headwinds that could undermine future demand and job growth.
“State construction employment has been closely balanced between gains and losses in recent months,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “Strong data center demand and investments in infrastructure are at times being offset by waning demand for other types of projects.”
Between May 2025 and May 2026, 30 states and D.C. added construction jobs, 18 states shed jobs, and employment held steady in Delaware and Arkansas. Texas added the most construction jobs (18,700 jobs or 2.1 percent), followed by North Carolina (13,600 jobs, 4.9 percent), Wisconsin (9,000 jobs, 6.2 percent), Minnesota (8,500 jobs, 6.0 percent) and Illinois (8,100 jobs, 3.4 percent). Wisconsin had the largest percentage gain over 12 months, followed by Minnesota, Alabama (5.7 percent, 6,200 jobs) and Nebraska (5.6 percent, 3,600 jobs).
California lost the most construction jobs from May 2025 to May 2026 (-13,100 jobs, -1.5 percent), followed by Georgia (-4,300 jobs, -1.8 percent), New Jersey (-3,800 jobs, -2.3 percent), Michigan (-3,700 jobs, -1.8 percent) and Virginia (-3,400 jobs, -1.5 percent). The largest percentage loss was in New Mexico (-3.1 percent, -1,700 jobs), followed by Alaska (-2.6 percent, -500 jobs), New Hampshire (-2.5 percent, -800 jobs), New Jersey (-2.3 percent, -3,800 jobs), Georgia and Michigan.
For the month, industry employment increased in 23 states and D.C., declined in 22 states, and was unchanged in five states. Texas added the most construction jobs (3,600 jobs or 0.4 percent), followed by Wisconsin (2,900 jobs, 1.9 percent), Alabama (2,800 jobs, 2.5 percent), Minnesota (2,100 jobs, 1.4 percent) and Idaho (2,000 jobs, 2.6 percent). The largest percentage gain occurred in Idaho, followed by Alabama, South Dakota (2.3 percent, 700 jobs), Kansas (2.0 percent, 1,500 jobs) and Wisconsin.
Massachusetts lost the most construction jobs from April to May (-4,200 jobs, -2.5 percent), followed by Virginia (-2,300 jobs, -1.0 percent), Montana (-1,900 jobs, -4.9 percent), New Mexico (-1,700 jobs, -3.1percent) and Pennsylvania (-1,700 jobs, -0.6 percent). The largest percentage loss was in Montana, followed by New Mexico, West Virginia (-2.9 percent, -1,100 jobs), Massachusetts and New Hampshire (-1.9 percent, -600 jobs).
Association officials said that two of the biggest drivers of construction demand, data center and highway and transportation projects, face political headwinds. Growing state and local resistance to data centers and the lack of progress in Congress on passing a new highway and transit bill pose the risk of undermining two of the most promising market segments for construction employers.
“Politics, instead of economics, poses the bigger threat to future construction job growth at the moment,” said Jeffrey D. Shoaf, the association’s chief executive officer. “Improving technology and transportation infrastructure is the best way to keep the economy competitive and create new, high-paying, construction career opportunities.”
View May 2026 state employment data and 1-month, 12-month rankings.