Construction employment increased in 192, or 53 percent, of 360 metro areas between March 2024 and March 2025, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of new government employment data. Association officials noted fewer metro areas are adding construction jobs compared to a year ago amid signs that tariff uncertainty and tight labor markets are impacting demand for projects.
“In the past 12 months barely half of metro areas experienced an increase in construction employment, a notable slowing from last year,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “This may be a sign that investors and project owners are putting more investments on hold until they get more clarity about tariff and workforce policies that can affect the cost, timing and demand for construction.”
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