The Tri-Cities was among the 117 metro areas across the country that lost construction jobs between March 2025 and March 2024, according to an analysis from the Associated General Contractors of America. 

Construction employment increased in 192 of 360 metro areas between March 2024 and March 2025, based on new government employment data. It remained flat in 51 markets. 

Washington state saw a decline of more than 14,000 construction jobs during that period, with Kelso-Longview as the state’s only metro area seeing an increase. The Tri-Cities had one of the smallest declines, both in number and percentage. 

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, in a release. “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.”