Construction employment has seen an increase in 184 out of 360 metropolitan areas between April 2024 and April 2025, as reported by the Associated General Contractors of America based on recent government data. The report indicates that while some areas benefit from rising demand for infrastructure and public facilities, others face challenges due to labor shortages and economic uncertainty.
"Demand for infrastructure, public facilities, and data centers is helping boost construction employment in many parts of the country," said Macrina Wilkins, senior research associate at the association. However, she added that this demand "has not been enough to offset labor shortages and broader economic uncertainty in many other parts of the country."
Among the metro areas with significant job gains, Arlington-Alexandria-Reston, Va.-W.Va. led with an addition of 7,700 jobs (9 percent), followed by Dallas-Plano-Irving, Texas; Cincinnati, Ohio-Ky.-Ind.; Miami-Miami Beach-Kendall, Fla.; and Washington, D.C.-Md. Las Cruces, N.M. experienced the largest percentage increase with a rise of 19 percent.
Conversely, construction employment declined in 120 metro areas over the year and remained unchanged in 56. Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, Calif., saw the most considerable job loss with a reduction of 6,000 jobs (-5 percent). Monroe, Mich., faced the largest percentage decrease at -20 percent.
Association officials attribute some employment figures to concerns over tariffs and future tax rates for employers but noted relief from recently announced trade deals and delayed tariffs. Jeffrey D. Shoaf, chief executive officer of the association stated that federal action could support further growth: "Federal officials can help boost future construction employment growth by investing in construction education and training programs and establishing more lawful pathways for people to enter the country to work in construction."