Florida Construction News staff writer
Construction employment increased in 30 states and the District of Columbia between May 2025 and May 2026, though job growth remained uneven across the country, according to an analysis of federal employment data released by the Associated General Contractors of America.
The association said gains tied to data center construction and infrastructure investment have helped boost employment in some states, while weaker demand in other sectors has tempered overall 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.”
Texas added the largest number of construction jobs over the 12-month period, gaining 18,700 positions, a 2.1% increase. North Carolina followed with 13,600 new jobs, while Wisconsin added 9,000, Minnesota added 8,500 and Illinois added 8,100.
Wisconsin posted the strongest percentage increase in construction employment, rising 6.2% year over year. Minnesota followed at 6.0%, while Alabama recorded a 5.7% increase and Nebraska grew by 5.6%.
California experienced the largest annual decline, losing 13,100 construction jobs, or 1.5% of its workforce. Georgia lost 4,300 jobs, New Jersey lost 3,800, Michigan lost 3,700 and Virginia lost 3,400.
New Mexico recorded the steepest percentage decline, with construction employment falling 3.1%. Alaska followed with a 2.6% decline, while New Hampshire and New Jersey each posted decreases of 2.5% and 2.3%, respectively.
Monthly employment figures also reflected a mixed picture.
From April to May, construction employment increased in 23 states and the District of Columbia, declined in 22 states and remained unchanged in five states.
Texas again led the nation in job gains, adding 3,600 construction positions during the month. Wisconsin added 2,900 jobs, Alabama added 2,800, Minnesota added 2,100 and Idaho added 2,000.
Idaho recorded the largest percentage increase for the month at 2.6%, followed by Alabama at 2.5%, South Dakota at 2.3%, Kansas at 2.0% and Wisconsin at 1.9%.
Massachusetts posted the largest monthly loss, shedding 4,200 construction jobs, a decline of 2.5%. Virginia lost 2,300 jobs, Montana lost 1,900, while New Mexico and Pennsylvania each lost 1,700 positions.
Montana recorded the steepest monthly percentage decline at 4.9%, followed by New Mexico at 3.1%, West Virginia at 2.9% and Massachusetts at 2.5%.
Despite the overall gains, AGC officials cautioned that future construction employment growth could be threatened by political and policy issues, particularly opposition to data center projects and uncertainty surrounding federal transportation funding.
“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.”
The association said continued investment in infrastructure and technology-related projects will play a key role in determining whether construction employment growth can be sustained in the coming months.
