Just over half of U.S. metro areas saw an increase in construction jobs from July 2024 to July 2025, according to data analyzed by the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC). Out of all metro regions, 184—representing 51 percent—added construction positions during this period.
AGC officials pointed out that many contractors want to hire more workers but are unable to find enough applicants with the necessary training or credentials. The association plans to release a survey on Thursday detailing these workforce challenges.
“Construction employment has stalled or retreated in many areas for a variety of reasons,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “But contractors report they would hire more people if only they could find more qualified and willing workers and tougher immigration enforcement wasn’t disrupting labor supplies.”
Arlington-Alexandria-Reston, Va.-W.Va., led the nation for the fifth consecutive month in construction job growth, adding 7,900 jobs—a 9 percent increase—over the year. Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, Texas followed with 6,600 new jobs (3 percent). Other notable gains were recorded in Cincinnati, Ohio-Ky.-Ind. (5,100 jobs; 9 percent), Chicago-Naperville-Schaumburg, Ill. (5,000 jobs; 4 percent), and Washington, D.C.-Md. (4,700 jobs; 10 percent). Las Cruces, N.M.; Canton-Massillon, Ohio; and Pocatello, Idaho each experienced an 11 percent rise in construction employment.
In contrast, construction employment fell in 120 metro areas and remained unchanged in another 56. Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, Calif., had the largest loss with a decrease of 7,200 jobs (6 percent). Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale also saw significant losses at -6,200 jobs (-6 percent), as did Baton Rouge (-3,900 jobs; -8 percent), Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell (-3,700 jobs; -3 percent), and Oakland-Fremont-Berkeley (-3,500 jobs; -5 percent). Niles, Mich., had the highest percentage decline at -9 percent.
The AGC will join NCCER for a virtual media briefing on August 28th at 1 p.m. eastern time to present results from their annual Workforce Survey. The survey is expected to detail ongoing difficulties contractors face finding qualified workers and how increased immigration enforcement is affecting labor supply within the sector.
“This survey is designed to measure the severity of construction workforce shortages and the impacts those shortages have on construction firms and projects,” Simonson noted. “The survey is also designed to understand what construction firms are doing to help bring more people into the industry.”
Further details about metro area employment changes can be found by state or rank through AGC's published data.