Construction employment increased in 40 states between July 2018 and July 2019, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC). The 12-month increase is largely consistent with recent data releases from the AGC. The organization reported 42 states added jobs between June 2018 and June 2019 and 39 states and Washington, D.C., added construction jobs between May 2018 and May 2019. The 12-month reports for April and March found 43 and 38 states added construction employment year over year, respectively.

The AGC also found that 25 states added construction jobs between June and July, a decline from recent month-to-month changes in construction employment. Thirty states added jobs between May and June, while 31 states added jobs between April and May, according to the AGC.

“Demand for projects, and the workers to build them, shows no sign of letting up in most states, and contractors continue to increase headcount when they can find qualified workers,” AGC chief economist Ken Simonson said. “But job openings at the end of June were the highest ever for June, suggesting that contractors are struggling to find all the workers they need in many states.”

Texas, Utah, Washington, Virginia, and Minnesota added the most construction jobs in pure numbers between June and July, while Utah, Montana, Minnesota, and North Dakota added the highest percentage of construction jobs month-to-month. Ohio lost the most jobs on a month-to-month basis while Alaska experienced the largest percentage decrease in construction jobs between June and July.

Texas, California, Florida, and Arizona added the most construction jobs in pure numbers during the 12-month period between July 2018 and July 2019, while Wyoming, West Virginia, North Dakota, and Arizona added the highest percentage of construction jobs during that period. Construction reached record highs in Nebraska, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, Utah, and Washington, according to the AGC. Louisiana lost the largest number and the highest percentage of construction jobs in the past 12 months.