Construction employment saw a boost in 31 states and the District of Columbia from February 2024 to February 2025, with 27 states and D.C. adding jobs between January and February, according to a new analysis of federal employment data by the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC).
However, the association highlighted a trend of slowing job gains amid rising market uncertainty.
“While a majority of states added construction jobs in February compared to the previous month and a year ago, these increases are becoming less widespread,” said Ken Simonson, AGC’s chief economist. “Contractors are becoming more cautious due to concerns about the potential impacts of tariffs, retaliatory actions from international trading partners, and the possibility of work authorization cancellations for foreign workers.”
Over the past year, Texas led the nation with the largest increase in construction employment, adding 21,700 jobs, a 2.6% rise. Florida followed closely with an increase of 16,900 jobs, also a 2.6% jump. Other notable states include Ohio, which added 14,500 jobs (5.9%), Idaho with 7,200 jobs (10.3%), and North Carolina, which gained 7,000 jobs (2.6%).
New Mexico posted the highest percentage increase in construction employment over the year, with a 12.2% growth, adding 6,500 jobs. Idaho, Mississippi, Wyoming, and Washington D.C. also saw substantial percentage gains.
Conversely, California experienced the largest decline in construction jobs over the past year, shedding 14,900 jobs (-1.6%). Washington, Arizona, New York, and Massachusetts followed with notable losses. Montana suffered the largest percentage loss (-6.4%, -2,400 jobs), trailed by Washington and Iowa.
In terms of monthly gains, Ohio led the charge in February, adding 8,200 construction jobs, a 3.3% increase. Florida, Texas, Virginia, and Maryland rounded out the states with the most job additions. West Virginia, with a 4.5% increase, saw the highest percentage gain, adding 1,500 jobs.
On the flip side, Washington saw the most significant loss in construction jobs from January to February, losing 9,600 jobs (-4.3%), followed by California and Oregon. Montana recorded the second-largest percentage loss at -4.1%, while Wisconsin and Oklahoma also saw notable declines.
The AGC expressed concern over the challenges facing the industry due to evolving tariff and immigration policies. To address these issues, the association is actively working to keep its members informed on the potential impacts and is advocating for increased funding for domestic construction education and training programs. They also urge the administration to expand lawful entry opportunities for foreign workers in the construction sector.
“The administration has done a good job securing the border, and now we are eager to work with them to secure the future workforce,” said Jeffrey Shoaf, AGC’s CEO. “We want to collaborate with the administration to expand recruitment for high-paying construction careers.”
