Construction employment increased in 189 metro areas in the year from February 2024 to February 2025, as reported by the Associated General Contractors of America based on recent government employment statistics. With a 53 percent rise in job numbers among 360 metro locations, the analysis identified Miami-Miami Beach-Kendall, Florida, Boise, Idaho, and Kokomo, Indiana as leading in both number and percentage of job gains, while Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale, California and Elizabethtown, Kentucky experienced significant job reductions.
Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist, remarked on the impact of economic conditions on construction. “Falling business and consumer confidence, along with rising costs from tariffs, are causing projects to be delayed or canceled. These challenging conditions are leading to less widespread job growth than previously.”
Miami-Miami Beach-Kendall, Florida, and Boise, Idaho noted job increases of 4,400 each, with percentage gains of 8 percent and 13 percent, respectively. Other notable increases included Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford in Florida, Tampa in Florida, the Dallas-Plano-Irving division in Texas, and New Orleans-Metairie, Louisiana. Kokomo, Indiana topped the list with the highest percentage gain at 22 percent despite adding only 400 jobs.
Conversely, 125 metro areas reported a decline in construction employment, with another 46 showing no change. The Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale area suffered the most significant loss of 8,200 jobs, equivalent to a 5 percent reduction. Other areas with notable decreases included New York City and divisions in California and Washington. Elizabethtown, Kentucky, saw the largest percentage drop at 23 percent, resulting in 600 fewer jobs.
The association’s officials expressed concern over the potential impact of recent tariff announcements. They warned these tariffs could introduce additional costs, lead to project delays or cancellations, and risk further job reductions. Urging changes in policy, they called on the Trump administration to consider reducing or eliminating tariffs to mitigate damage to various sectors.
Jeffrey D. Shoaf, the association’s chief executive officer, added, “Now that the President has provided specific details about his tariff plans, the private sector can decide how best to proceed with planned projects. Our hope is that the benefits of greater clarity and supply chain certainty outweigh the impacts of higher materials prices and construction costs.”
