Construction Employment on the Rise Since June 2016

Words: Dan KamysBut Half of the States Shed Jobs Between May and June 2016 According to analysis of U.S. Labor Department data released by the Associated General Contractors of America, construction employment increased in 39 states between June 2015 and June 2016, but half the states shed construction jobs between May and June. Hawaii added the highest percentage of new construction jobs during the past year (15.9%, 6,700 jobs), followed by Iowa, Colorado and Oklahoma. Iowa and Oklahoma set new records for construction employment. California added the most construction jobs (32,300 jobs, 4.5%) between June 2015 and June 2016, followed by Florida, Colorado and Washington. 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%, -4,300 jobs). Other states with large job losses include Kansas and Alabama. Large percentage losses occurred in Wyoming (-6.6%, -1,500 jobs), Maine 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%), followed by Arizona, Colorado, Indiana, Iowa and Wisconsin. Delaware added the highest percentage of construction jobs during the past month (3.4%, 700 jobs), followed by New Hampshire, Iowa and Arizona. Texas shed more construction jobs in June than any other state (-2,800 jobs, -0.4%), followed by California. Maine lost the highest percentage of construction jobs between May and June (-4.7%, -1,200 jobs), followed by North Dakota. For complete details, visit AGC of America's website.  
No Shortcuts: The Journey of Real Stone
February 2026

Have you ever stopped and really thought about how that stone on the wall got there? I don’t mean the install...not the mortar, the scratch coat, or the clean-up. I mean the whole journey. From the first cut in the earth to the

Rob McKay
Technical Talks
Read More
Stop Gambling on the Wall: Why the Modern Jobsite Demands a Sure Thing
February 2026

If you have spent any time walking the carpeted aisles of the World of Concrete, you know the vibe. It is a sensory overload of heavy machinery, slick demos, and the collective optimism of thousands of contractors. We are in Las Vegas, the gambling capita

Shayne Sanders
Technical Talks
Read More
Helical Beaming: Strengthening Masonry from the Inside Out
February 2026

In the world of masonry restoration and retrofit, the goal is always the same: preserve the character and craftsmanship of historic structures while ensuring their long-term stability. But anyone who has worked on century-old brick or stone buildings know

Tiffany Tillema
Technical Talks
Read More
The 2026 MCAA Annual Online Auction
February 2026

The Mason Contractors Association of America is thrilled to announce the 2026 Annual Online Auction, the masonry industry’s premier event for scoring the best equipment at a fraction of costs. Whether you are looking to expand your equipment stockpile or

Justin Stengel
Industry News
Read More