The number of construction jobs increased in 27 states in May, compared to the previous month, according to employment data released by the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Year-over-year, employment rose in 33 states and Washington, D.C.

“Construction has been in a holding pattern for several months, with gains in a small majority of states,” Ken Simonson, chief economist at the Associated General Contractors of America said in a statement. “Uncertainty over tariffs, immigration, federal funding, taxes and other policy shifts is causing many types of projects to be put on hold across the country.”

In the past year, Texas added 28,000 construction jobs—the most of any state—while Ohio and Michigan added 17,000 and 10,400, respectively.

California lost 13,800 construction employees, the most in the U.S., while Washington was second with 11,200 reported job losses. New York state ranked third, losing 6,800 construction employees since May 2024.

On a monthly basis, since April 2025 Michigan has added the largest number of construction employees, 4,300. However, over the same time period, Virginia and California each lost an estimated 19,000 construction jobs, the largest drops among states.

Trying to make sense of this data. Texas with the largest growth I am curious to know what is driving it? Is it data centers? Energy? But with the high rates and the labor for both skilled and unskilled incredibly tight firms are still filling positions. But it makes me think did we avoid a large recession in the construction sector?