Ohio’s construction industry added 11,500 jobs between April 2025 and April 2026, ranking third in the nation for year-over-year job growth, according to new federal data analyzed by the Associated General Contractors of America.
The Buckeye State’s construction workforce grew to 268,600 workers in April 2026, up from 257,100 a year earlier — a 4.5 percent increase that tied Ohio with Nevada and Wisconsin for eighth nationally in percentage growth. Only Louisiana (5.8 percent), West Virginia (5.7 percent) and North Carolina, Missouri and Nebraska (4.9 percent each) posted stronger percentage gains over the same period.
In raw numbers, only Texas (18,700 jobs) and North Carolina (13,600 jobs) added more construction positions than Ohio during the 12-month stretch.
Top 10 States for Total Construction Job Growth, April 2025 to April 2026
Rank State Jobs Added
1 Texas 18,700
2 North Carolina 13,600
3 Ohio 11,500
4 Louisiana 8,000
5 Missouri 7,300
5 Illinois 7,300
7 Minnesota 6,800
8 Wisconsin 6,500
9 Nevada 5,000
10 Massachusetts 4,600
Top 10 States for Construction Job Growth by Percentage, April 2025 to April 2026
Rank State % Change
1 Louisiana 5.8%
2 West Virginia 5.7%
3 North Carolina 4.9%
3 Missouri 4.9%
3 Nebraska 4.9%
6 Minnesota 4.8%
7 Montana 4.6%
8 Nevada 4.5%
8 Ohio 4.5%
8 Wisconsin 4.5%
A Strong National Picture — With a Caveat
The AGC released its analysis based on Bureau of Labor Statistics data from the U.S. Department of Labor. Nationally, construction employment rose in 32 states and the District of Columbia from April 2025 to April 2026, while 15 states shed jobs and three held steady.
“It’s encouraging to see construction employment increasing in many parts of the country,” said Ken Simonson, the AGC’s chief economist. “But many states will struggle to maintain current employment levels later this year if Congress fails to renew federal legislation to fund highway and transit construction after the current law expires on September 30.”
Ohio’s Gains Are Consistent
Ohio’s numbers stood out not only for their size but also for their consistency. The state added 1,100 jobs from March to April 2026 alone, ranking 12th in the country for monthly growth.
The gains reflect a broader construction expansion across Ohio driven in part by a sustained data center building boom in Columbus/Central Ohio Building and Construction Trades Council jurisdiction, major infrastructure investments and continued demand for industrial and commercial projects. Building trades unions across the state have pointed to Project Labor Agreements and robust apprenticeship pipelines as key factors sustaining workforce growth.
Central Ohio, in particular, remains a top-five construction market nationwide, with more megaprojects than any other building trades council in Ohio and across the country.
This building boom has led to a significant need for apprentices, and recent apprenticeship recruitment events in the region have seen record turnout.
Not Every State Fared as Well
California lost the most construction jobs over the 12-month period, shedding 14,500 positions — a 1.6 percent decline. Alaska posted the steepest percentage loss at 5.6 percent, followed by Mississippi (-3.3 percent) and New Jersey (-3.0 percent).
Congress Must Act Before Sept. 30
AGC officials used the report to renew calls on Congress to pass a new federal surface transportation bill before the current legislation expires on Sept. 30. The existing law provides the bulk of funding that state and local governments rely on to plan and execute road, bridge and transit improvements.
“Improving our transportation system is the best way to boost economic activity and sustain these recent job gains,” said AGC CEO Jeffrey D. Shoaf.