Construction Jobs Rose Across Most States
Construction employment grew in 35 states and the District of Columbia between August 2025 and August 2026.
Updated on Sept. 24, 2026 in Employment
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Data from the Associated General Contractors of America shows a nationwide trend of construction job growth over the 12 months ending in August 2026. While most regions saw gains, some states reported significant losses in the sector.
Why it matters
Understanding shifts in construction employment helps track regional economic health and infrastructure capacity. Ongoing factors like potential project moratoriums and federal funding uncertainty pose risks to sustained growth in the industry.
Ohio led the nation with 17,800 new construction roles over the 12-month period, while Louisiana saw the highest percentage growth at 12.7%. Conversely, California shed 6,900 jobs during the same timeframe.
The players
Associated General Contractors of America
This national trade association represents the construction industry and compiles employment data using federal statistics.
The details
Industry analysts identified Ohio as the top performer for recent monthly gains, adding 4,600 positions between July and August 2026, while Colorado led states with losses at 2,200 jobs. Despite the broader upward trend observed across 35 states, 15 states experienced net job declines over the annual cycle.
Timeline
August 2025 marked the beginning of the 12-month analysis period.
July 2026 served as the start of the final one-month comparison period.
August 2026 concluded the annual and monthly reporting cycles.
Macro View
This employment data updates the trends established by the Associated General Contractors of America's monthly state employment tracking. These figures illustrate a regional divergence in labor growth that mirrors past economic cycles where infrastructure investment and project localizations varied significantly by state.
Regional job availability in the construction sector directly affects local housing costs and the pace of infrastructure development. Workers and local businesses may face instability if planned projects are halted by local moratoriums or shifts in federal transit funding.
The takeaway
The construction labor market shows broad resilience, yet its future growth remains tied to policy decisions regarding infrastructure funding and material tariffs. Readers in regions with shrinking job numbers may see fewer active projects and increased competition for specialized construction work.
Further reading
For more information on national labor trends, visit Employment.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Mecklenburg Times.
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