Construction Jobs Increase In 30 States And D.C. Between February 2025 And February 2026; 22 States Have One-Month Gain In Construction Jobs

Texas and Montana Have the Largest Number and Percent of 12-Month Increases, While California and Alaska Trail; Florida and Montana Lead in Monthly Gains, While New Jersey and Delaware Have the Biggest and Steepest Losses

Construction employment rose in 30 states and the District of Columbia from February 2025 to February 2026, while 20 states added jobs between January and February, according to an analysis of new federal data released today by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials cautioned there are signs construction is slowing in parts of the country and urged federal officials to pass a new highway and transportation bill before the current measure expires to avoid delaying additional projects.

"Severe winter weather in late January and February probably led to a drop in the number of states with one-month job gains," said Ken Simonson, the association's chief economist. "But construction is slowing in many parts of the country, apart from areas with data center, power, and large manufacturing projects, as other owners hold back on starting projects."

Between February 2025 and February 2026, 30 states and D.C. added construction jobs, 18 states shed jobs, and employment held steady in Arkansas and New Hampshire. Texas added the most construction jobs (24,000 jobs or 2.7 percent), followed by North Carolina (11,200 jobs, 4.1 percent), Wisconsin (10,200 jobs, 7.1 percent), and Missouri (10,000 jobs, 6.9 percent). Montana had the largest percentage gain over 12 months (8.8 percent, 3,100 jobs), followed by West Virginia (7.6 percent, 2,600 jobs), Wisconsin and Missouri.

California lost the most construction jobs from February 2025 to February 2026 (-10,300 jobs, -1.2 percent), followed by Florida (-9,100 jobs, -1.4 percent), New York (-5,000 jobs, -1.3 percent), Arizona (-3,200 jobs, -1.4 percent), and New Jersey (-3,100 jobs, -1.9 percent). The largest percentage loss was in Alaska (-5.6 percent, -1,100 jobs), followed by New Mexico (-3.6 percent, -2,000 jobs), New Jersey, and Delaware (-1.6 percent, -400 jobs).

For the month, industry employment increased in 22 states, declined in 27 states and D.C., and was unchanged in South Dakota. Florida added the most construction jobs (1,100 jobs or 0.2 percent), followed by 1,000-job increases in Colorado (0.2 percent), Nevada (0.9 percent), and Ohio (0.4 percent). The largest percentage gain occurred in Montana (1.3 percent, 500 jobs), followed by 0.9 percent increases in Nevada and Idaho (700 jobs).

New Jersey experienced the largest number of construction job losses from January to February (-5,900 jobs, -3.5 percent). Other states with significant numerical losses included New York (-5,300 jobs, -1.4 percent), Illinois (-4,900 jobs, -1.9 percent), Missouri (-4,200 jobs, -2.6 percent), and Maryland (-4,100 jobs, -2.4 percent). The largest percentage loss was in Delaware (-4.4 percent, -1,100 jobs), followed by New Jersey and Missouri.

Association officials urged Congress to pass a new highway and transportation bill before the current law expires at the end of September to avoid delaying vital infrastructure projects. They added that the association has launched a new national campaign, called America's Moving Forward, to push for passage of the vital legislation.

"Unless Congress acts on time, state and local transportation officials will have a hard time planning and budgeting for vital new road, bridge, and transit projects," said Jeffrey D. Shoaf, the chief executive officer of the Associated General Contractors of America. "Passing a new measure on time should help boost construction employment in many parts of the country."

View February 2026 state employment data and 1-month, 12-month rankings.