State-by-State Employment Data for April
Nonfarm employment increased in 38 states and the District of Columbia in April compared to the previous month, while 11 states saw a decrease. Alaska reported no change during this time. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, nationwide total nonfarm payroll employment increased by 175,000 in April, following a gain of 315,000 jobs in March.
Across the nation, construction sector jobs data — which includes both residential and non-residential construction — showed that 28 states reported an increase in April compared to March, while 19 states and the District of Columbia lost construction sector jobs. The three remaining states — Mississippi, Rhode Island and South Carolina — reported no change on a month-over-month basis.
Overall, the construction industry added a net 9,000 jobs in April compared to the previous month.
Year over year, construction sector jobs in the U.S. increased by 258,000, which is a 3.2% increase compared to the April 2023 level. Texas added the most jobs (30,500) of any state, while New York lost 7,100 construction sector jobs. In percentage terms, Alaska had the highest annual growth rate in the construction sector at 18%, while Maryland reported the largest decline of 4%.
Danushka Nanayakkara-Skillington, NAHB assistant vice president for forecasting and analysis, provides more insights in this Eye on Housing post.
Latest from NAHBNow
IBS
Sep 01, 2026
Registration Now Open for NAHB International Builders’ Show in Las Vegas
The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) officially opened online registration and housing today for the 2027 NAHB International Builders’ Show® (IBS), the largest annual light construction trade show in the world.
Economics
Sep 01, 2026
Large Metro Core Counties Drive Drop in Single-Family Market Share
Single-family construction remained soft across most geographic areas in the second quarter of 2026, as rising building material costs, elevated interest rates and economic uncertainty continued to weigh on the industry. By contrast, multifamily construction strengthened in most regions, supported by solid rental housing demand, according to the latest findings from the NAHB Home Building Geography Index (HBGI).
Latest Economic News
Economics
Aug 31, 2026
Serious Delinquencies Edge Lower While Mortgage Transitions Rise
Household debt delinquency rates showed signs of stabilization in the second quarter of 2026 as overall share of delinquency balances edged lower and the transition to seriously delinquent debt declined for the second consecutive quarter.
Economics
Aug 31, 2026
Single-Family AD&C Lending Falls Back in Q2
Single-family construction lending fell slightly in the second quarter, according to data released by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.
Economics
Aug 28, 2026
Multifamily Absorption Rate Remains Below 50%
The percentage of new apartment units that were absorbed within three months after completion was down five percentage points in the first quarter, according to the Census Bureau’s latest release of the Survey of Market Absorption of New Multifamily Units (SOMA).