Construction Jobs Rise in 36 States as AGC Warns Funding, Tariff Risks Threaten Growth
Updated
Updated · mecktimes.com · Aug 27
Construction Jobs Rise in 36 States as AGC Warns Funding, Tariff Risks Threaten Growth
1 articles · Updated · mecktimes.com · Aug 27
Summary
36 states and Washington, D.C., added construction jobs in the year through July, while 28 states and D.C. posted gains from June, according to AGC’s analysis of new federal data.
Texas led annual job gains with 17,500 new positions, followed by Louisiana at 15,500 and North Carolina at 15,400; Illinois added the most jobs in July alone with 3,200.
13 states lost construction jobs over the year, with California down 6,700, while 18 states and D.C. posted monthly declines and Texas shed 3,400 jobs from June.
AGC said the hiring momentum is vulnerable to shifting tariffs on construction materials, stalled action on a long-term highway and transit bill, and growing local resistance to data center projects.
The group urged Congress to pass new highway funding before the current law expires on Sept. 30, arguing policy clarity is needed to sustain construction demand and employment.
Why did California and New York bleed construction jobs over the past year while Texas and Louisiana experienced explosive industry growth?
With a September 2026 deadline looming, will delayed federal infrastructure funding and rising material tariffs suddenly halt the nationwide construction jobs boom?
Can AI and robotics truly save the booming data center construction sector from crippling labor shortages and rising local resistance?