The latest government state employment report paints a mixed picture of the job market. While a few states saw modest employment gains, most areas showed little to no progress. The pace of hiring appears to be slowing, raising concerns about the strength of the recovery. Nonfarm payroll employment increased in 32 states in August compared to the previous month, while decreasing in 17 states and the District of Columbia. Montana reported no change. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, nationwide total nonfarm payroll employment increased by 22,000 in August, falling short of expectations and following significant downward revisions to the previous two months’ figures including job losses in June. So far in 2025, monthly job growth has averaged 75,000, a significant slowdown compared to the 168,000 monthly average gain for 2024. On a month-over-month basis, employment data was most favorable in Texas, which added 17,600 jobs. Pennsylvania came in second (+12,200), followed by Ohio (+9,900). Meanwhile, a total of 80,000 jobs were lost across 17 states and the District of Columbia, with New York reporting the steepest job losses at 16,100. In percentage terms, employment increased the highest in Utah at 0.5%, while the District of Columbia saw the largest decline at 0.7% between July and August. Year-over-year ending in August, 1.5 million jobs have been added to the labor market, which is a 0.9% increase compared to the August 2024 level. The range of job gains spanned from 100 jobs in New Hampshire to 195,600 jobs in Texas. Four states and the District of Columbia lost a total of 23,600 jobs in the past 12 months, with Kansas reporting the steepest job losses at 10,000. In percentage terms, the range of job growth spanned 0.1% in Illinois to 3.1% in South Carolina. The range of job losses in Iowa, Maine, Kansas, and the District of Columbia spanned 0.1%-1.2%. Construction Employment Across the nation, construction sector jobs data 1—which includes both residential and non-residential construction—showed that 19 states reported an increase in August compared to July, while 29 states lost construction sector jobs. The two remaining states and the District of Columbia reported no change on a month-over-month basis. Florida, with the highest increase, added 3,600 construction jobs, while Nevada, on the other end of the spectrum, lost 4,400 jobs. Overall, the construction industry lost a net 7,000 jobs in August compared to the previous month. In percentage terms, Mississippi reported the highest increase at 3.1% and Nevada reported the largest decline at 4.1%. Year-over-year, construction sector jobs in the U.S. increased by 58,000, which is a 0.7% increase compared to the August 2024 level. Texas added 18,500 jobs, which was the largest gain of any state, while California lost 16,900 construction sector jobs. In percentage terms, New Mexico had the highest annual growth rate in the construction sector at 13.3%. During this period, Nevada reported the largest decline of 6.4%. For this analysis, BLS combined employment totals for mining, logging, and construction are treated as construction employment for the District of Columbia, Delaware, and Hawaii. Discover more from Eye On Housing Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Nonfarm payroll employment increased in 30 states and the District of Columbia in July compared to the previous month, while decreasing in 20 states. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, nationwide total nonfarm payroll employment increased by 73,000 in July, falling short of expectations and following significant downward revisions to the previous two months’ figures. On a month-over-month basis, employment data was most favorable in New York, which added 55,500 jobs. Missouri came in second (+17,100), followed by California (+15,000). Meanwhile, a total of 37,100 jobs were lost across 20 states, with Utah reporting the steepest job losses at 5,200. In percentage terms, employment increased the highest in Missouri at 0.6%, while Wyoming saw the largest decline at 0.5% between June and July. Year-over-year ending in July, 1.5 million jobs have been added to the labor market, which is a 1.0% increase compared to the July 2024 level. The range of job gains spanned from 400 jobs in Montana to 232,500 jobs in Texas. Two states and the District of Columbia lost a total of 8,900 jobs in the past 12 months, with the District of Columbia reporting the steepest job losses at 4,200. In percentage terms, the range of job growth spanned 0.1% in Montana to 3.4% in South Carolina. The range of job losses in Maine, Iowa, and the District of Columbia spanned 0.2%-0.5%. Construction Employment Across the nation, construction sector jobs data 1—which includes both residential and non-residential construction—showed that 22 states reported an increase in July compared to June, while 22 states lost construction sector jobs. The six remaining states and the District of Columbia reported no change on a month-over-month basis. Colorado, with the highest increase, added 3,800 construction jobs, while California, on the other end of the spectrum, lost 3,300 jobs. Overall, the construction industry added a net 2,000 jobs in July compared to the previous month. In percentage terms, Oregon reported the highest increase at 2.6% and Wyoming reported the largest decline at 3.4%. Year-over-year, construction sector jobs in the U.S. increased by 96,000, which is a 1.2% increase compared to the July 2024 level. Texas added 27,000 jobs, which was the largest gain of any state, while California lost 18,200 construction sector jobs. In percentage terms, New Mexico had the highest annual growth rate in the construction sector at 14.3%. During this period, New Jersey reported the largest decline of 4.9%. For this analysis, BLS combined employment totals for mining, logging, and construction are treated as construction employment for the District of Columbia, Delaware, and Hawaii. Discover more from Eye On Housing Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.