What’s the real story behind the construction boom (or bust) in your state? If you’re a general contractor, you know that national headlines rarely tell the whole truth. The real action? It’s happening at the state level—where spending, sector growth, and employment trends can make or break your business in 2025.
Let’s dig into the latest proprietary data on nonresidential construction spending and employment, state by state, sector by sector. This isn’t your average industry roundup. We’re talking about the numbers that matter—where the money’s flowing, which sectors are surging, and where the best opportunities are hiding for general contractors ready to seize them.
State-Level Spending: Where the Money’s Moving in 2025
First, the big picture: U.S. nonresidential construction spending hit $1.25 trillion in April 2025, up 2.8% year-over-year. But the real story is in the details. Some states are on fire, while others are cooling off. Here’s a snapshot of the top movers:
- Texas: $140B (+22.9% YoY)
- Ohio: $43.2B (+72.5% YoY)
- Arizona: $49.1B (+25.4% YoY)
- Georgia: $39.1B (+43.1% YoY)
- Florida: $57.4B (+11.1% YoY)
- Utah: $13.2B (+41.8% YoY)
- Arkansas: $10.8B (+52.4% YoY)
- Idaho: $7.6B (+40.4% YoY)
Meanwhile, states like California (-4.1% YoY) and Minnesota (-7.1% YoY) are seeing declines. What’s driving these shifts? It’s a mix of sector investment, population growth, and local policy. (And yes, a little luck.)
Sector Growth: Who’s Building What?
Not all nonresidential construction is created equal. In 2025, some sectors are sprinting ahead, while others are treading water. Here’s where the action is:
- Religious: +16.3% YoY
- Amusement & Recreation: +11.4% YoY
- Sewage & Waste: +8.9% YoY
- Transportation: +7.0% YoY
- Water Supply: +6.9% YoY
- Educational: +6.6% YoY
- Power: +4.1% YoY
- Public Safety: +4.1% YoY
- Office: +3.9% YoY
- Health Care: +2.8% YoY
On the flip side, commercial (-3.6% YoY) and lodging (-0.6% YoY) are lagging. For general contractors, this means opportunity is shifting—fast. Are you ready to pivot?
Employment Trends: Who’s Doing the Work?
Construction employment is up, but the story is nuanced. As of May 2025, nonresidential construction employment reached 4,970,800—a 2.6% increase over last year. Total industry employment stands at 8.3 million. But here’s the twist: the share of women in construction hit 14.4% in May 2025, up 3% year-over-year and nearly 50% over the past decade. (That’s not just a stat—it’s a sea change.)
Specialty trade contractors lead the pack with 2.87 million nonresidential jobs, followed by building construction (923,200) and heavy/civil engineering (1.18 million). Wages are up, too: average hourly earnings hit $39.42 in May 2025, a 3.7% increase (1.3% inflation-adjusted).
Actionable Insights for General Contractors
So, what does all this mean for your business? Here are three takeaways:
- Follow the Growth: States like Texas, Ohio, and Arizona are seeing explosive nonresidential investment. If you’re not bidding in these markets, you’re missing out.
- Specialize Smart: Sectors like amusement & rec, sewage & waste, and transportation are growing fast. Consider expanding your expertise or partnerships in these areas.
- Embrace Workforce Shifts: The rise in female employment isn’t just a diversity win—it’s a talent pipeline. Contractors who adapt their hiring and training will have a competitive edge.
And don’t forget: public sector spending is up 5.5% YoY, while private is down 2.2%. If you’ve relied on private work, it might be time to chase public contracts.
Ready to Capitalize? Billdr Pro Can Help
2025 is a year of opportunity—but only for those who move fast and smart. Billdr Pro is an all-in-one software for general contractors that is built to help you track trends, manage projects, and win more work in the hottest markets.
Sources & Data Integrity
All data and charts referenced are from Construction Coverage (proprietary, updated June 2025), with additional sources from the U.S. Census Bureau and Bureau of Labor Statistics. For a full breakdown, see the original report.
