Find a contractor Buyer's guide Partner with us
MCAA Logo
Log in Sign up Join Hi, there Account
2026 Midyear Registration is OPEN
Find a contractor Buyer's guide Partner
Log in Sign up Join Account

Construction Employment Rises in 39 States Between June 2015 and 2016

Words: Angelo MiscelliConstruction employment increased in 39 states between June 2015 and June 2016, although half the states shed construction jobs between May and June, according to analysis of Labor Department data released today by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials said the flattening of monthly employment gains and losses indicates the urgency of beefing up programs to attract, train and retain construction workers.

“Construction demand is still growing strongly in all regions and among many types of owners,” said Ken Simonson, chief economist for the association. “But contractors appear to be struggling to fill jobs in the short run.” As evidence of the challenge in filling jobs, he noted that recent data show a spike in job openings at construction firms and a huge decline in the number of experienced construction workers available for hire.

Hawaii added the highest percentage of new construction jobs during the past year (15.9 percent, 6,700 jobs), followed by Iowa (15.8 percent, 12,200 jobs), Colorado (8.9 percent, 13,200 jobs) and Oklahoma (8.9 percent, 6,900 jobs). Iowa and Oklahoma set new records for construction employment. California added the most construction jobs (32,300 jobs, 4.5 percent) between June 2015 and June 2016, followed by Florida (25,500 jobs, 5.9 percent), Colorado, Washington (12,500 jobs, 7.2 percent), Iowa and Georgia (12,200 jobs, 7.3 percent).

Construction employment declined over the past 12 months in 11 states and the District of Columbia. North Dakota lost the highest percentage and number of construction jobs for the year (-12.4 percent, -4,300 jobs). Other states with large job losses include Kansas (-3,700 jobs, -6.1 percent) and Alabama (-2,100 jobs, -2.6 percent). Large percentage losses occurred in Wyoming (-6.6 percent, -1,500 jobs), Maine (-6.5 percent, -1,700 jobs) and Kansas.

Twenty-three states and D.C. added construction jobs between May and June, 25 states lost jobs, and employment was unchanged in Illinois and Vermont. Pennsylvania added the most (3,400 jobs, 1.5 percent), followed by Arizona (3,100 jobs, 2.3 percent), Colorado (2,700 jobs, 1.7 percent), Indiana (2,600 jobs, 2.0 percent), Iowa (2,100 jobs, 2.4 percent) and Wisconsin (2,100 jobs, 1.8 percent). Delaware added the highest percentage of construction jobs during the past month (3.4 percent, 700 jobs), followed by New Hampshire (3.3 percent, 800 jobs), Iowa and Arizona.

Texas shed more construction jobs in June than any other state (-2,800 jobs, -0.4 percent), followed by California (-2,100 jobs, -0.3 percent). Maine lost the highest percentage of construction jobs between May and June (-4.7 percent, -1,200 jobs), followed by North Dakota (-4.4 percent, -1,200 jobs).

Association officials said the fact nearly half of the states that added construction jobs over the past 12 months had static or falling employment between May and June shows the widespread need to draw more workers into the industry and provide them the skills to succeed. They noted that 70 percent of firms reported earlier this year that they are experiencing difficulty finding qualified workers. And they called on elected officials to reform and increase funding for Career and Technical Education, enact immigration reform and take other steps outlined in the association’s Workforce Development Plan.

“Shortages of qualified workers appear to be causing construction employment to stall in many parts of the country, and that lack threatens to affect broader economic conditions,” said Stephen E. Sandherr, the association’s chief executive officer. “Public officials need to act without delay to step up investments in the types of skills-based education programs that enable students to succeed in school and land high-paying jobs in fields like construction.”
 0
MCAA Upstate New York: Regaining Market Share Through Education
September 2026

The Upstate New York chapter of the MCAA was established in 2014 by a dedicated group of both union and non-union masonry contractors, producers, and suppliers who shared concerns about the declining use of masonry. T

Brett Sherman
Resources
Read More
GEN NXT: Luis Sontay
September 2026

For this month, the MCAA got to sit down with aspiring mason Luis Sontay. From taking an interest in masonry as a kid to placing 1st in a postsecondary competition, Luis’ dedication and passion for the trade is clear. Luis describes his early passion fo

Justin Stengel
GEN NXT
Read More
The Alhambra
September 2026

High above Granada, Spain, the Alhambra offers masonry professionals something more than an architectural landmark. It is a working lesson in how relatively simple building materials, placed by skilled craftsmen and maintained over generations, can create

Cass Stern
Marvelous Masonry
Read More
The Wall
September 2026

There is a story around Huntley Brothers that some of our guys simply call “The Wall.” I’ve told it enough times over the years that when I start telling it to one of our younger guys, I can see a few of the older ones rolling their eyes. They’ve heard i

Kent Huntley
Chairman’s Message
Read More