Construction employment on Long Island continues to trend downward, marking a full year of job losses, according to a new report from the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC). The findings highlight ongoing labor challenges in the region and raise concerns about future workforce stability without federal policy support.
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Data shows that Nassau and Suffolk counties lost 3,900 construction jobs between February 2025 and February 2026, representing a 5% year-over-year decline. Employment dropped from 77,800 jobs to 73,900 during that period, reflecting sustained contraction across the sector.
The downturn is not isolated to Long Island. New York City recorded the largest construction job loss among the nation’s 360 metro areas, shedding 6,600 jobs over the same period—a 5% decline from 137,000 to 130,400 positions.
Despite regional declines, construction employment trends across the U.S. remain mixed. According to the AGC report, 52% of metro areas added construction jobs during the 12-month period ending in February 2026. A total of 187 metro areas experienced job growth, while 135 reported declines and 38 remained unchanged.
Metro areas posting the strongest gains included Houston, which added 11,200 jobs for a 4% increase, followed by St. Louis and Austin, Texas, each adding 4,700 jobs with growth rates of 6% and 5%, respectively.
However, several major markets joined New York in reporting notable job losses. The Jersey City, New Jersey–White Plains, New York metro division saw a decline of 5,200 jobs, while Los Angeles lost 4,800 positions and Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, California, dropped 4,600 jobs.
Industry leaders warn that continued job losses could accelerate if federal lawmakers fail to renew key infrastructure funding programs. The current highway and transit funding law is set to expire later this year, raising concerns about project pipelines and workforce demand.
“Although a majority of metro areas added construction jobs in the latest 12-month period, it will become increasingly difficult to sustain job gains unless policy makers in Washington renew the highway and transit spending bill by September 30,” said Ken Simonson, AGC’s chief economist. “If federal funding lapses, many good-paying jobs will disappear. Getting those workers back will be a major challenge.”
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AGC officials emphasized that infrastructure investment plays a critical role in sustaining construction employment and broader economic activity.
“Investing in highways and transit systems doesn’t just boost demand for infrastructure construction, it also stimulates broader economic growth and demand for a range of construction projects,” said Jeffrey Shoaf, AGC CEO. “Delaying the transportation measure will only make it harder for many regions to add high-paying construction jobs.”
To support its advocacy efforts, the association has launched a $2 million national campaign aimed at raising public awareness and encouraging Congress to act on renewing transportation funding legislation.
As policymakers weigh the future of federal infrastructure programs, industry stakeholders say the outcome could significantly influence construction employment trends on Long Island and across the country.
Originally reported by David Winzelberg in Long Island Business News.
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