Washington state added a few thousand construction jobs in May compared to April this year, but the state still has had the largest percentage drop in those jobs compared to a year ago. 

A recent analysis of federal labor data by the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) showed that Washington state’s construction labor force is down 5%, or 11,200 jobs, compared to the same time in 2024. 

The Tri-Cities, however, is bucking that trend. The state Employment Security Department recorded the region as having 11,900 construction jobs in May, up from 11,600 the prior month and 11,200 a year ago. 

California lost the most construction jobs overall in the past year at 13,800 positions, representing 1.5% of its construction labor force. 

AGC officials noted that while there were some gains in construction jobs over the past month around the country, they are muted and states that have seen losses are struggling to recover because of current economic and political conditions. 

“Uncertainty over tariffs, immigration, federal funding, taxes and other policy shifts is causing many types of projects to be put on hold across the country,” said Ken Simonson, AGC’s chief economist, in a statement.