Construction employment increased in 155 out of 337 metropolitan areas between March 2011 and March 2012, decreased in 134 and stayed level in 48, according to a new analysis of federal employment data released today by Associated General Contractors.

Association officials said that fewer metro areas added construction jobs in March compared to February because of disruptions to typical hiring patterns caused by weather.

“While last March firms were getting a late start to the construction season because the winter was so cold, this year’s warm winter allowed many firms to do their typical spring hiring in February,” said Ken Simonson, AGC’s chief economist. “It is too early to tell whether the hiring momentum within construction is slowing down or just pausing to let contractors catch up with the weather.”