Texas and Louisiana Have the Largest Number and Percent of 12-Month Increases, While California and New Hampshire Lag; New Mexico and Texas Top Monthly Gainers, While California and Montana Have the Largest Monthly Losses
Construction employment increased in 33 states and the District of Columbia from June 2025 to June 2026, while 28 states and D.C. added jobs between May and June, according to an analysis of new federal data released today by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials cautioned, however, that several policy developments, including uncertainty surrounding tariffs, highway funding, and data center development, could undermine future construction demand.
“Construction employment gains were more widespread in June, with more states adding jobs than losing them over both the month and the year,” said Macrina Wilkins, the association's director of market insights. “States benefiting from strong infrastructure, energy, manufacturing, and data center investment continue to lead construction hiring, while higher financing costs remain a headwind for several private construction sectors.”
Between June 2025 and June 2026, 33 states and the District of Columbia added construction jobs, 14 states shed jobs, and employment was unchanged in Delaware, Mississippi and North Dakota. Texas added the most construction jobs (24,800 jobs, 2.7 percent), followed by North Carolina (15,500 jobs, 5.6 percent), Ohio (11,900 jobs, 4.6 percent), Illinois (10,700 jobs, 4.5 percent) and Louisiana (10,500 jobs, 7.7 percent). Louisiana posted the largest percentage gain over 12 months, followed by the District of Columbia (6.6 percent, 900 jobs), Minnesota (6.3 percent, 8,900 jobs), North Carolina and Missouri (5.5 percent, 8,300 jobs).
California lost the most construction jobs from June 2025 to June 2026 (-15,400 jobs, -1.7 percent), followed by Virginia (-4,600 jobs, -2.0 percent), New York (-4,300 jobs, -1.1 percent), Georgia (-4,100 jobs, -1.7 percent) and Michigan (-3,600 jobs, -1.8 percent). The largest percentage loss was in New Hampshire (-2.5 percent, -800 jobs), followed by Virginia, Michigan, New Jersey (-1.8 percent, -3,000 jobs) and Rhode Island (-1.8 percent, -400 jobs).
For the month, industry employment increased in 28 states and the District of Columbia, declined in 20 states, and was unchanged in South Carolina and West Virginia. Texas added the most construction jobs (5,200 jobs, 0.6 percent), followed by Ohio (3,900 jobs, 1.5 percent), Massachusetts (3,700 jobs, 2.2 percent), North Carolina (2,900 jobs, 1.0 percent) and Louisiana (2,000 jobs, 1.4 percent). The largest percentage gain occurred in New Mexico (3.2 percent, 1,700 jobs), followed by Massachusetts, North Dakota (2.0 percent, 600 jobs), Alaska (1.6 percent, 300 jobs) and Ohio.
California lost the most construction jobs from May to June (-4,100 jobs, -0.5 percent), followed by New York (-3,900 jobs, -1.0 percent), Washington (-2,100 jobs, -1.0 percent), Wisconsin (-2,100 jobs, -1.4 percent) and Minnesota (-1,100 jobs, -0.7 percent). The largest percentage loss was in Montana (-1.6 percent, -600 jobs), followed by Wisconsin, Rhode Island (-1.3 percent, -300 jobs), New York and Washington (both -1.0 percent).
Association officials said that several policy developments could undermine some of the industry's strongest sources of demand. Growing state and local resistance to data center development, uncertainty surrounding electric power availability for new projects, the lack of progress in Congress on a long-term highway and transit bill, and continued uncertainty surrounding tariffs on construction materials all threaten future construction activity.
"Construction firms continue to add workers where demand remains strongest," said Jeffrey D. Shoaf, the association's chief executive officer. "Policymakers can help sustain that momentum by providing certainty for infrastructure investment, supporting the expansion of our nation's energy capacity, and avoiding policies that increase the cost of key construction materials and create unnecessary uncertainty for construction employers."
View June 2026 state employment data and 1-month, 12-month rankings.