State-Level Construction Employment Data for September

A closer look at state-level construction employment data in the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) nonfarm payroll report, with additional analysis provided by the Nation Association of Home Builders (NAHB), reveals that jobs in the sector—including both residential and nonresidential—increased in 24 states and the District of Columbia in September. Meanwhile, 23 states lost construction jobs, and three states reported no change.

Overall, the construction industry added a net 25,000 jobs in September. Texas posted the highest increase, adding 8,100 construction jobs, while Tennessee lost 1,600. In percentage terms, Ohio reported the highest increase at 2.7%, and North Dakota reported the largest decline at 2.1%.

Year-over-year, construction sector jobs in the US increased by 238,000, a 3.0% increase compared to the September 2023 level. Texas added 42,300 jobs, the largest gain of any state, while New York lost 6,900. In percentage terms, Alaska had the highest annual growth rate at 21.1%, while Oregon reported the largest decline of 4.1%.