AGC: Construction Employment Up YoY in 34 States, but Uncertainty Remains

Oct. 20, 2026 — Construction employment increased in 34 states and the District of Columbia from September 2025 to September 2026, while 25 states added jobs between August and September, according to an analysis of new federal data released by the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC). Association officials noted, however, that demand appears to be slowing in many parts of the country amid rising prices and uncertainty about future infrastructure and data center projects.

“While two-thirds of states added construction jobs in September on a year-over-year basis, job gains were limited to half the states in the latest month,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “While some states are still seeing strong demand for construction — particularly of data centers — demand in other areas is less strong.”

Between September 2025 and September 2026, 34 states and the District of Columbia added construction jobs, while 14 states shed jobs. Industry employment was unchanged in Kentucky and Vermont. Louisiana added the largest number and percentage of construction jobs (18,800 jobs or 13.9%). Other states that added large numbers of jobs include North Carolina (15,900 jobs, 5.7%), Ohio (15,100 jobs, 5.8%), Texas (15,000 jobs, 1.7%) and Illinois (14,300 jobs, 6.0%). Other states with notable percentage gains include Wyoming (8.4%, 1,900 jobs), Nebraska (7.6%, 4,900 jobs), Illinois, Ohio and Kansas (5.8%, 4,300 jobs).

Georgia lost the most construction jobs from September 2025 to September 2026 (-4,900 jobs or -2.1%), followed by California (-4,800 jobs, -0.5%), Virginia (-3,200 jobs, -1.4%), New Jersey (-3,100 jobs, -1.9%) and Michigan (-3,000 jobs, -1.5%). The largest percentage loss was in Alaska (-5.3%, -1,000 jobs), followed by West Virginia (-4.0%, -1,400 jobs), New Hampshire (-2.2%, -700 jobs), Georgia and New Jersey.

For the month, industry employment increased in 25 states, declined in 21 states and was unchanged in Connecticut, Delaware, Kansas, Maine and Washington, D.C. Oregon added the most construction jobs (2,000 jobs, 1.8%), followed by Colorado (1,900 jobs, 1.0%), Washington (1,500 jobs, 0.7%), Illinois (1,300 jobs, 0.5%) and South Carolina (1,300 jobs, 1.0%). The largest percentage gain occurred in Rhode Island (2.2%, 500 jobs), followed by Wyoming (2.1%, 500 jobs), New Mexico (1.8%, 1,000 jobs), Oregon and New Hampshire (1.3%, 400 jobs).

Wisconsin lost the largest number of construction jobs between August and September (-3,300 jobs or -2.1%), followed by Ohio (-3,100 jobs, -1.1%), Texas (-2,400 jobs, -0.3%) and California (-1,900 jobs, -0.2%). Alaska experienced the largest percentage loss (-3.3%, -600 jobs), followed by Wisconsin, Hawaii (-1.7%, -700 jobs), North Dakota (-1.3%, -400 jobs) and Mississippi (-1.2%, -700 jobs).

Association officials noted that prices for many construction materials continue to increase amid ongoing tariff announcements and challenges caused by conflicts in the Middle East. They also noted that political uncertainty about the fate of the surface transportation bill and ongoing efforts to restrict data center construction are undermining demand for construction.

“Politics and prices are having an impact on demand for construction in parts of the country,” said Jeffrey D. Shoaf, CEO of AGC. “That is why we need public officials to focus on passing a new highway and transit bill, creating a pathway for responsible data center construction and addressing trade disputes that are prompting many of the new tariffs.”

View September 2026 state employment data, 1-month and 12-month rankings.

Visit agc.org.