Construction jobs experienced growth in 192 out of 360 metro areas from March 2024 to March 2025, according to a report from the Associated General Contractors of America, which draws on new government employment data. However, the number of areas adding jobs has declined compared to the previous year, a trend attributed to uncertainties over tariffs and labor market constraints impacting project demand.
Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist, stated, “In the past 12 months barely half of metro areas experienced an increase in construction employment, a notable slowing from last year.” He suggested that this could indicate hesitation among investors and project owners, who may be holding back investments pending clearer tariff and workforce policies.
Arlington-Alexandria-Reston, Va.-W.Va., led the employment gains with an addition of 5,400 construction jobs, marking a 6 percent increase. It was followed by Boise City, Idaho, Cincinnati, Ohio-Ky.-Ind., New Orleans-Metairie, La., and Dallas-Plano-Irving, Texas, with significant job increases. Anniston-Oxford, Ala., and Las Cruces, N.M., saw the highest percentage increases, gaining 17 percent, while New Orleans-Metairie, Bowling Green, Ky., and Jackson, Mich. also reported substantial growth.
Conversely, construction employment dropped in 117 metro areas and remained unchanged in 51. Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale, Calif., faced the largest job dip, and Monroe, Mich., showed the largest percentage decrease. Other areas, including Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, Calif., and Seattle-Bellevue-Kent, Wash., also reported notable declines.
The construction industry continues to grapple with labor shortages and tariff impacts on costs and demand. The association is collaborating with Congress and the Trump administration to enhance investments in education and training programs and to create more lawful work opportunities within the sector. Jeffrey D. Shoaf, the association’s chief executive officer, commented, “Encouraging more people to pursue high-paying careers in construction and taking steps to limit tariffs’ impacts on construction will provide the kind of certainty many developers are looking for.”
Readers can view additional metro employment data and the top 10 changes.
