An analysis of October federal jobs data by Associated General Contractors shows that construction industry employment is stuck in neutral because some sectors are falling as others get busier.

The contradiction is geographic, too, with half the states showing gains and the other half losing jobs, AGC's report says. Year-over-year changes were all over the map, too. Those ranged from 19 percent up (North Dakota) to 9.5 percent down (Georgia).

“Construction employment gains are likely to remain spotty for months to come,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “Local factors ... seem to dictate ... construction employment in a given month."

With seasonal adjustments, employment climbed from September in 25 states and the District of Columbia, AGC found. The highest gains were in Delaware (5.5 percent, 1,000 jobs), Vermont (3.8 percent, 500 jobs) and Utah (3.8 percent, 2,500 jobs). In raw numbers of workers, New York gained most – 3,400 jobs. Virginia was next with 2,800.

The downside was most pronounced in southern states. Georgia lost 9.5 percent, New Mexico was second-worst, down 9.2 percent.