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Texas and Alaska Top Lists of Numerical and Percentage 12-Month Gains, While New York and Oregon Lag; Louisiana Posts Highest Number and Percent of Monthly Increases, While Florida and Iowa Have Worst Losses

Construction employment increased in 41 states in October from a year earlier, while 33 states and the District of Columbia added construction jobs between September and October, according to a new analysis of federal employment data released by the Associated General Contractors of America today. Association officials noted that construction firms are hiring faster than other segments, but are searching for even more workers.

“Year-over-year job growth has become more widespread in construction despite slowing down in other sectors,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “Still more states would have posted gains in construction employment if there were enough qualified workers available to hire.”

Between October 2023 and October 2024, 41 states added construction jobs—the largest 12-month gain so far this year. Eight states and D.C. shed jobs, while construction employment held steady in Vermont. Texas added the most construction employees (38,800 jobs or 4.7 percent), followed by Florida (27,700 jobs, 4.4 percent), Michigan (14,600 jobs, 7.7 percent), and Virginia (12,500 jobs, 5.8 percent). Alaska had the largest percentage gain over 12 months (19.1 percent, 3,400 jobs), followed by Hawaii (15.2 percent, 5,700 jobs), Oklahoma (9.8 percent, 8,200 jobs), Michigan, and Nevada (7.2 percent, 8,300 jobs).

New York lost the most construction jobs during the past 12 months (-9,200 jobs, -2.4 percent), followed by Oregon (-5,100 jobs, -4.3 percent), Maryland (-2,500 jobs, -1.6 percent), California (-1,700 jobs, -0.2 percent), and Minnesota (-1,600 jobs, -1.2 percent). The largest percentage loss was in Oregon, followed by New York, Maryland, Connecticut (-1.3 percent, -800 jobs), and Minnesota. 

For the month, industry employment increased in 33 states and D.C., declined in 13 states, and was unchanged in Alaska, Connecticut, Kansas, and Rhode Island. Louisiana added the largest number and percentage of jobs (3,400 jobs or 2.5 percent). Other states adding a large number of construction jobs include South Carolina (1,300 jobs, 1.1 percent), Utah (1,300 jobs 0.9 percent), California (1,200 jobs, 0.1 percent), and Missouri (1,100 jobs, 0.7 percent). Other states with large percentage gains include South Dakota (2.3 percent, 700 jobs), New Hampshire (2.2 percent, 700 jobs), Hawaii (2.1 percent, 900 jobs), and Delaware (2.0 percent, 500 jobs).

Florida lost the most construction jobs from September to October (-5,400 jobs or -0.8 percent), followed by North Carolina (-4,300 jobs, -1.6 percent). Construction in both states was heavily disrupted by hurricanes. Iowa lost the highest percentage of jobs for the month (-2.1 percent, -1,800 jobs), followed by North Carolina.

Association officials urged the incoming Trump administration and Congress to find ways to boost investments in construction education and training programs. They noted that doing so would encourage more people to pursue high-paying construction careers. They also urged Washington officials to allow more people to lawfully enter the country to temporarily work in construction while the domestic pipeline for preparing new construction workers is rebuilt.

“Our members can’t help develop the economy if they don’t have enough people to complete infrastructure and development projects,” Jeffrey D. Shoaf, the association’s chief executive officer, said. “Encouraging and preparing a new generation of construction workers will help workers and support economic development.”

View October 2024 state employment data and 1-month and 12-month rankings.