Construction Employment Increases In 40 States From September 2023 To September 2024

Construction employment increased in 40 states in September from a year earlier, while 24 states and the District of Columbia added construction jobs between August and September, according to a new analysis of federal employment data released by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials said even more states would have added workers if contractors could find enough qualified applicants.

Between September 2023 and September 2024, 40 states added construction jobs, while 10 states and D.C. shed jobs. Texas added the most construction employees (42,300 jobs or 5.1%), followed by Florida (37,100 jobs, 5.9%), Ohio (16,400 jobs, 6.9%), and Michigan (12,600 jobs, 6.6%). Alaska had the largest percentage gain over 12 months (21.1%, 3,700 jobs), followed by Hawaii (11.8%, 4,500 jobs), Oklahoma (9.4%, 7,800 jobs), and Nevada (8.8%, 10,000 jobs).

New York lost the most construction jobs during the past 12 months (-6,900 jobs, -1.8%), followed by Oregon (-4,800 jobs, -4.1%), Maryland (-4,600 jobs, -2.9%), Pennsylvania (-2,900 jobs, -1.1%), and Maine (-900 jobs, -2.6%). The largest percentage loss was in Oregon, followed by Maryland, Maine, Vermont (-1.9%, -300 jobs), and New York.

“Enabling more people to learn about construction as a career opportunity is essential for filling the openings created by the many infrastructure, power, and manufacturing projects under way,” Jeffrey D. Shoaf, the association’s chief executive officer, said. “Added funding for construction education and training will put more people into high-paying construction careers.”

For more details, visit agc.org.