Construction contractors continue to add jobs in much of the country, according to the latest data from the Labor Department and Associated General Contractors of America.

Firms added jobs in 38 states and Washington, D.C., between October and November. Overall industry employment increased in 26 states during the same period, the AGC said.

"Construction job growth remains positive overall but volatile," said Ken Simonson, the association's chief economist. "Although more than three-quarters of states have added construction jobs from year-earlier levels throughout 2014, the list of states with gains keeps changing. Only North Dakota, Louisiana and Oklahoma have exceeded their pre-recession peaks for construction employment this year, while most states are still at least 10 percent below previous highs."