Citing U.S. Labor Department data, the figures reflect improving apartment and private nonresidential construction activity, but the market for public projects and single-family homes continue to struggle, the association said.

Employment numbers in the construction industry rose in half the states - and declined in the others - during October, according to figures from the Associated General Contractors of America.

Citing U.S. Labor Department data, the numbers reflect improving apartment and private nonresidential construction activity, but the market for public projects and single-family homes continues to struggle, the association said.

“Construction employment gains are likely to remain spotty for months to come,” said Ken Simonson, the AGC’s chief economist. “Local factors, rather than regional or industry trends, seem to dictate whether a state has rising or falling construction employment in a given month.”

Stephen E. Sandherr, the association’s chief executive officer, said the failure of the so-called federal “super committee” to come up with a deficit-reduction deal could hurt construction employment if the automatic government spending reductions that were designed to force a bipartisan deal are allowed to take effect.

“Allowing water, transportation and energy networks to deteriorate will hurt construction employment and force taxpayers to spend more later to fix broken infrastructure,” Sandherr said. “Neglecting the fundamental systems needed to support our economy and quality of life is no way to balance the budget or boost employment.”