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ARLINGTON, VA. — Construction employment increased in 39 U.S. states in April from a year earlier, while 29 states added construction jobs between March and April, according to new of federal employment data released by the Associated General Contractors of America.  

“Demand for construction workers remains positive in a majority of states but there are risks to further gains,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “Steeper tariffs and tighter restrictions on sourcing materials may lead to project cancellations and delays, imperilling job increases.”

Between April 2023 and April 2024, Texas added the most construction employees (30,500 jobs, 3.7 per cent), followed by Florida (22,100 jobs, 3.5 per cent), Michigan (16,100 jobs, 8.5 per cent) and California (15,100 jobs, 1.7 per cent). Alaska had the largest percentage increase over 12 months (18.0 per cent, 3,000 jobs), followed by South Dakota (10.4 per cent, 2,900 jobs), Arkansas (9.1 per cent, 5,700 jobs), Michigan and Nevada (8.5 per cent, 9,500 jobs).

New York lost the most construction jobs during the past 12 months (minus 7,100 jobs, down 1.8 per cent), followed by Ohio (minus 6,700 jobs, 2.8 per cent), Maryland (down 6,400 jobs, 4.0 per cent), and Colorado (minus 4,300 jobs, 2.3 per cent). The largest percentage loss was in Maryland, followed by D.C. (down 3.3 per cent, 500 jobs), Ohio and Colorado.

For the month, industry employment increased in 29 states, declined in 18 states and D.C., and was unchanged in Mississippi, Rhode Island and South Carolina. Michigan added the largest number and percentage of jobs over the month (4,200 jobs, 2.1 per cent). Other states with large monthly increases include Washington (3,100 jobs, 1.4 per cent), Missouri (2,300 jobs, 1.5 per cent) and New York (1,700 jobs, 0.4 per cent). Other states with large percentage gains include Hawaii (1.7 per cent, 700 jobs), Missouri and Washington.

Association officials said newly increased tariffs on steel, aluminum and solar panels would add to project costs and may lead to cancellations that could hurt construction employment.

They added a the association released recently found most highway contractors stated a proposed end to Buy America waivers would add to costs and delay federally aided projects, undermining the benefits of those projects.