St. Louis Adds 10,700 Construction Jobs, Ranks Third in U.S.
Date Posted: November 3, 2026
Posted In: What we are thinking about, Workforce,
by Tom Finan, Executive Director, Construction Forum
The St. Louis metropolitan area added 10,700 construction jobs over the past year, ranking third nationally in the number of jobs gained, according to an analysis of federal employment data by the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC).
Construction employment in the St. Louis, Missouri-Illinois metropolitan area increased 13% between September 2025 and September 2026, placing the region among the nation’s strongest construction employment markets.
Only Houston, which added 13,800 jobs, and Baton Rouge, Louisiana, which gained 12,300, exceeded St. Louis in absolute job growth. Columbus, Ohio, matched St. Louis with 10,700 additional jobs.
The St. Louis numbers stand out against a mixed national picture.
Of the 360 metropolitan areas tracked by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, construction employment increased in 180, declined in 118 and remained unchanged in 62. In other words, only half of the nation’s metropolitan markets experienced construction employment growth.
Growth Continues
The September figures follow similarly strong results in August, when St. Louis recorded an increase of 11,200 construction jobs, or 14%, compared with the previous year.
Although the September year-over-year gain was slightly smaller, the latest numbers suggest that the region’s construction employment expansion has been sustained rather than representing a single-month spike.
The employment figures are not seasonally adjusted. They also reflect the broader metropolitan area, including portions of Illinois, rather than the City of St. Louis alone.
National Construction Trends Present a Mixed Picture
The employment gains come as the national construction industry experiences significant differences among market sectors.
According to ConstructConnect, the value of construction starts nationally increased 17.5% during the first nine months of 2026 compared with the same period in 2025.
Nonresidential building starts increased 26%, with commercial construction up 74%. Office and data center projects were particularly strong, with their combined starts increasing 173%.
Meanwhile, residential construction starts declined 4.5%, including an 11% decrease in single-family housing starts.
Infrastructure activity also varied significantly. Electric power infrastructure starts increased 167%, while bridge construction rose 27.5%.
These national figures do not necessarily describe the mix of projects driving St. Louis employment growth, but they illustrate the changing demand facing construction employers.
Implications for St. Louis
The employment gains are encouraging for the St. Louis region’s construction industry, but they also underscore the importance of developing and retaining a skilled workforce.
Continued growth will depend not only on attracting investment and advancing projects, but also on ensuring that employers can find the workers and technical talent needed to deliver them.
The region’s strong performance provides an opportunity to build on existing construction expertise, expand workforce pathways and strengthen collaboration among owners, contractors, labor organizations and educational institutions.
The challenge is translating that momentum into sustainable employment and economic growth across the region.