Job Growth Continues to be Strong Across Most States
Nonfarm payroll employment increased in 42 states and the District of Columbia in January compared to the previous month, while eight states saw a decrease. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, nationwide total nonfarm payroll employment increased by 229,000 in January, following a gain of 290,000 jobs in December.
On a month-over-month basis, employment data was most favorable in:
- New York (+59,300 jobs);
- California (+58,100); and
- Florida (+38,800).
A total of 17,100 jobs were lost across eight states, with Oregon reporting the steepest job losses at 4,900.
In percentage terms, employment in Vermont increased the highest at 0.6%, while South Dakota saw the biggest decline at 0.4% between December and January.
Across the nation, construction sector jobs data* — which includes both residential and non-residential construction — showed that 32 states reported an increase in January compared to December, while 17 states lost construction sector jobs. The remaining two, Missouri and the District of Columbia, reported no change on a month-over-month basis.
North Carolina, with the highest increase, added 4,000 construction jobs, while Illinois, on the other end of the spectrum, lost 5,300 jobs. Overall, the construction industry added a net 19,000 jobs in January compared to the previous month. In percentage terms, Hawaii, Mississippi and Arkansas reported the highest increase at 2.3%, and Illinois reported the largest decline at 2.3%.
Year over year, construction sector jobs in the United States increased by 218,000, which is a 2.8% increase compared to the January 2023 level.
Danushka Nanayakkara-Skillington, NAHB assistant vice president for forecasting and analysis, provides more in this Eye on Housing post.
*For this analysis, the BLS-combined employment totals for mining, logging, and construction are treated as construction employment for the District of Columbia, Delaware, and Hawaii.
Latest from NAHBNow
May 23, 2025
Florida Builders and Local Leaders Team Up to Create Lasting Affordable HousingAn innovative partnership between the HBA of West Florida and local lawmakers is offering a blueprint for how communities across the U.S. can create lasting, affordable housing.
May 23, 2025
Volatile Spring Selling Season ContinuesSales of newly built, single-family homes in April increased 10.9% to a 743,000 seasonally adjusted annual rate from a downwardly revised March number, according to newly released data from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the U.S. Census Bureau. The pace of new home sales in April was up 3.3% compared to a year earlier.
Latest Economic News
May 26, 2025
State-Level Employment Situation: April 2025Nonfarm payroll employment increased in 40 states in April compared to the previous month, while it decreased in 10 states and the District of Columbia. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, nationwide total nonfarm payroll employment increased by 177,000 in April following a gain of 185,000 jobs in March.
May 23, 2025
Volatile Spring Selling Season ContinuesThe Census estimate of new home sales posted an unexpected gain in April even as builders and consumers continue to deal with economic uncertainty, elevated interest rates and rising building material costs.
May 23, 2025
94% Multifamily Built-for-Rent ShareAccording to NAHB analysis of quarterly Census data, the count of multifamily, for-rent housing starts increased during the first quarter of 2025. For the quarter, 88,000 multifamily residences started construction. Of this total, 83,000 were built-for-rent. This was almost 11% higher than the first quarter of 2024.