AGC: Construction Jobs Increased In 28 States Since August 2024

Sept. 19, 2025 — Construction employment increased in 28 states and Washington, D.C., in August from a year earlier, while only 19 states added construction jobs between July and August, according to a new analysis of federal employment data released by the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC). Association officials noted that a recent workforce survey the association released found contractors in many states are struggling to fill open positions amid workforce shortages.

“Most firms are struggling to find enough workers to hire amid persistent labor shortages,” said Ken Simonson, AGC’s chief economist. “These labor shortages are the No. 1 cause for delayed construction projects, according to our recent survey.”

Between August 2024 and August 2025, 28 states and Washington, D.C., added construction jobs, 19 states shed jobs, and employment remained unchanged in North Dakota. Texas added the most construction jobs (18,500 jobs or 2.2%), followed by Ohio (13,600 jobs, 5.4%), Virginia (12,700 jobs, 5.8%) and North Carolina (8,000 jobs, 2.9%). New Mexico had the largest percentage gain over 12 months (13.3%, 7,200 jobs), followed by West Virginia (9.3%, 3,100 jobs), Alaska (8.8%, 1,600 jobs), and Idaho (6.8%, 4,900 jobs).

California lost the most construction jobs during the past 12 months (-16,900 jobs, -1.9%), followed by New York (-13,300 jobs, -3.4%), Washington (-11,100 jobs, -4.9%), New Jersey (-10,000 jobs, -6.1%), and Nevada (-7,100 jobs, -6.4%). The largest percentage loss was in Nevada, followed by New Jersey, Washington, Louisiana (-3.7%, -5,200 jobs), and New York.

For the month, industry employment increased in 19 states, declined in 29 states, and was unchanged in Nebraska, Vermont and Washington, D.C.. Florida added the most construction jobs (3,600 jobs or 0.5%), followed by Maryland (2,700 jobs, 1.7%) and Tennessee (2,000 jobs, 1.2%). The largest percentage gain occurred in Mississippi (3.1%, 1,600 jobs), followed by Rhode Island (2.2%, 500 jobs) and Maryland.

Nevada experienced the largest decline in construction jobs from July to August (-4,400 jobs, -4.1%), followed by New York (-3,800 jobs, -1.0%), Georgia (-3,000 jobs, -1.3%), and Massachusetts (-2,600, jobs, -1.5%). Nevada also lost the highest percentage of jobs for the month, followed by West Virginia (-1.9%, -700 jobs), Massachusetts, Montana (-1.3%, -500 jobs), and Georgia.

Association officials noted that 92% of firms report having a hard time filling open positions, according to the 2025 AGC of America–NCCER Workforce Survey. And 45% of firms reported they had to delay at least one of their projects because of labor shortages, the top reason for project delays cited by contractors. The construction officials urged federal leaders to boost funding for construction education and training and create more lawful pathways for people to enter the country to work in construction.

“Workforce shortages aren’t just making life hard for construction firms,” said Jeffrey D. Shoaf, the CEO of AGC. “The lack of qualified workers is making it harder for the economy to expand.”

View August 2025 state employment data and one-month, 12-month rankings. 

Visit agc.org.