Data / Labor market / The United States

Labor market in the United States

The latest figures for 8 indicators in the United States, how the states compare, and the source of each figure.

Figures last updated on 2026-10-12.

Unemployment rate

Unemployment rate in the United States was 4.2% in September 2026, down 0.2 percentage points from September 2025.

Of 51 states in August 2026, District of Columbia had the highest unemployment rate (5.7%) and South Dakota the lowest (2%).

United States, September 20264.2%Down 0.2 percentage points from September 2025History
Highest, August 20265.7%District of Columbia
Lowest, August 20262%South Dakota
District of Columbia: 5.7 %District of Columbia5.7California: 5.1 %California5.1Connecticut: 5.1 %Connecticut5.1Oregon: 5.1 %Oregon5.1Michigan: 5 %Michigan5Arizona: 4.9 %Arizona4.9Washington: 4.9 %Washington4.9Nevada: 4.8 %Nevada4.8Delaware: 4.7 %Delaware4.7Illinois: 4.7 %Illinois4.7
Top 10 states, August 2026. %. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Highest and lowest states

Full ranking of states. Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Population Survey: unemployment rate, 16 years and over, seasonally adjusted (LNS14000000); U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Local Area Unemployment Statistics: unemployment rate by state, seasonally adjusted.

Employment-population ratio

Employment-population ratio in the United States was 59.2% in September 2026, down 0.5 percentage points from September 2025.

Of 51 states in August 2026, North Dakota had the highest employment-population ratio (67.5%) and West Virginia the lowest (51.6%).

United States, September 202659.2%Down 0.5 percentage points from September 2025History
Highest, August 202667.5%North Dakota
Lowest, August 202651.6%West Virginia
North Dakota: 67.5 %North Dakota67.5Nebraska: 67.3 %Nebraska67.3District of Columbia: 66.2 %District of Columbia66.2South Dakota: 65.2 %South Dakota65.2Iowa: 64.9 %Iowa64.9Kansas: 64.1 %Kansas64.1Utah: 64 %Utah64Minnesota: 63.8 %Minnesota63.8New Hampshire: 63.1 %New Hampshire63.1Alaska: 62.7 %Alaska62.7
Top 10 states, August 2026. %. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Highest and lowest states

Full ranking of states. Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment-population ratio, civilian noninstitutional population aged 16 and over, seasonally adjusted, CPS LNS12300000; U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment-population ratio, civilian noninstitutional population aged 16 and over, seasonally adjusted, state LAUS measure 07.

Labor force participation rate

Labor force participation rate in the United States was 61.8% in September 2026, down 0.7 percentage points from September 2025.

Of 51 states in August 2026, District of Columbia had the highest labor force participation rate (70.3%) and West Virginia the lowest (53.8%).

United States, September 202661.8%Down 0.7 percentage points from September 2025History
Highest, August 202670.3%District of Columbia
Lowest, August 202653.8%West Virginia
District of Columbia: 70.3 %District of Columbia70.3Nebraska: 69.3 %Nebraska69.3North Dakota: 69 %North Dakota69Iowa: 67 %Iowa67Minnesota: 66.8 %Minnesota66.8Kansas: 66.6 %Kansas66.6South Dakota: 66.5 %South Dakota66.5Utah: 66.3 %Utah66.3Alaska: 65.5 %Alaska65.5Colorado: 65.3 %Colorado65.3
Top 10 states, August 2026. %. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Highest and lowest states

Full ranking of states. Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Labor force participation rate, civilian noninstitutional population aged 16 and over, seasonally adjusted, CPS LNS11300000; U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Labor force participation rate, civilian noninstitutional population aged 16 and over, seasonally adjusted, state LAUS measure 08.

Mean travel time to work

Mean travel time to work in the United States was 26.4 minutes (estimated) in 2024, down 0.2 minutes from 2023.

Of 51 states in 2024, New York had the highest mean travel time to work (32.6 minutes) and South Dakota the lowest (17.8 minutes).

United States, 202426.4 minutesDown 0.2 minutes from 2023History
Highest, 202432.6 minutesNew York
Lowest, 202417.8 minutesSouth Dakota
New York: 32.6 minutesNew York32.6Maryland: 31.1 minutesMaryland31.1New Jersey: 30.5 minutesNew Jersey30.5District of Columbia: 30 minutesDistrict of Columbia30Massachusetts: 29.1 minutesMassachusetts29.1California: 28.7 minutesCalifornia28.7Georgia: 28.3 minutesGeorgia28.3Florida: 28 minutesFlorida28Illinois: 27.8 minutesIllinois27.8Virginia: 27.3 minutesVirginia27.3
Top 10 states, 2024. minutes. Source: U.S. Census Bureau.

Highest and lowest states

Full ranking of states. Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates: mean travel time to work, B08135 aggregate minutes divided by B08303 workers not working at home.

Total employment (jobs, BEA)

Total employment (jobs, BEA) in the United States was 218,324,700 jobs in 2025, up 0.3% from 2024.

Of 51 states in 2025, California had the highest total employment (25,407,891 jobs) and Vermont the lowest (439,349 jobs).

United States, 2025218,324,700 jobsUp 0.3% from 2024History
Highest, 202525,407,891 jobsCalifornia
Lowest, 2025439,349 jobsVermont

Highest and lowest states

Full ranking of states. Sources: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, SAINC4: personal income and employment by major component, total employment (number of jobs), United States and states.

Wage and salary jobs (OEWS)

Wage and salary jobs (OEWS) in the United States were 155,495,730 jobs in 2025, up 0.8% from 2024.

Of 51 states in 2025, California had the most wage and salary jobs (18,213,700 jobs) and Wyoming the fewest (280,740 jobs).

United States, 2025155,495,730 jobsUp 0.8% from 2024History
Highest, 202518,213,700 jobsCalifornia
Lowest, 2025280,740 jobsWyoming

Highest and lowest states

Full ranking of states. Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May estimates, national cross-industry file: employment, all occupations (00-0000); U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May estimates, state cross-industry file: employment, all occupations (00-0000).

Covered employment (QCEW)

Covered employment (QCEW) in the United States was 155,732,363 jobs in 2025, up 0.5% from 2024.

Of 51 states in 2025, California had the highest covered employment (18,210,243 jobs) and Wyoming the lowest (282,252 jobs).

United States, 2025155,732,363 jobsUp 0.5% from 2024History
Highest, 202518,210,243 jobsCalifornia
Lowest, 2025282,252 jobsWyoming

Highest and lowest states

Full ranking of states. Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW): annual average employment, total covered, all industries (NAICS 10), nation, states and counties.

Nonfarm payroll employment

Nonfarm payroll employment in the United States was 159,044,000 jobs (provisional) in September 2026, up 0.3% from September 2025.

Of 51 states in August 2026, California had the highest nonfarm payroll employment (18,177,200 jobs) and Wyoming the lowest (295,700 jobs).

United States, September 2026159,044,000 jobsUp 0.3% from September 2025History
Highest, August 202618,177,200 jobsCalifornia
Lowest, August 2026295,700 jobsWyoming

Highest and lowest states

Full ranking of states. Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics: all employees, total nonfarm, seasonally adjusted (CES0000000001); U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics, State and Area: all employees, total nonfarm, statewide, seasonally adjusted (SMS, state, 000000000000001).

Sources and citations

Each figure comes from the table cited here. Cite the publisher; these citations include any notice the publisher requires.

  1. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Current Population Survey: unemployment rate, 16 years and over, seasonally adjusted (LNS14000000). https://download.bls.gov/pub/time.series/ln/ln.data.1.AllData. Retrieved 2026-10-08.
  2. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Local Area Unemployment Statistics: unemployment rate by state, seasonally adjusted. https://download.bls.gov/pub/time.series/la/la.data.3.AllStatesS. Retrieved 2026-10-08.
  3. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Employment-population ratio, civilian noninstitutional population aged 16 and over, seasonally adjusted, CPS LNS12300000. https://download.bls.gov/pub/time.series/ln/ln.data.1.AllData. Retrieved 2026-10-08.
  4. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Employment-population ratio, civilian noninstitutional population aged 16 and over, seasonally adjusted, state LAUS measure 07. https://download.bls.gov/pub/time.series/la/la.data.3.AllStatesS. Retrieved 2026-10-08.
  5. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Labor force participation rate, civilian noninstitutional population aged 16 and over, seasonally adjusted, CPS LNS11300000. https://download.bls.gov/pub/time.series/ln/ln.data.1.AllData. Retrieved 2026-10-08.
  6. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Labor force participation rate, civilian noninstitutional population aged 16 and over, seasonally adjusted, state LAUS measure 08. https://download.bls.gov/pub/time.series/la/la.data.3.AllStatesS. Retrieved 2026-10-08.
  7. U.S. Census Bureau. American Community Survey 5-year estimates: mean travel time to work, B08135 aggregate minutes divided by B08303 workers not working at home. https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/acs/summary_file/2024/table-based-SF/data/5YRData/. Retrieved 2026-10-10.
  8. U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. SAINC4: personal income and employment by major component, total employment (number of jobs), United States and states. https://apps.bea.gov/regional/zip/SAINC.zip. Retrieved 2026-10-12.
  9. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May estimates, national cross-industry file: employment, all occupations (00-0000). https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm25nat.zip. Retrieved 2026-10-12.
  10. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May estimates, state cross-industry file: employment, all occupations (00-0000). https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm25st.zip. Retrieved 2026-10-12.
  11. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW): annual average employment, total covered, all industries (NAICS 10), nation, states and counties. https://data.bls.gov/cew/data/api/2025/a/industry/10.csv. Retrieved 2026-10-12.
  12. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Current Employment Statistics: all employees, total nonfarm, seasonally adjusted (CES0000000001). https://download.bls.gov/pub/time.series/ce/ce.data.00a.TotalNonfarm.Employment. Retrieved 2026-10-12.
  13. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Current Employment Statistics, State and Area: all employees, total nonfarm, statewide, seasonally adjusted (SMS, state, 000000000000001). https://download.bls.gov/pub/time.series/sm/sm.data.55.TotalNonFarmStateWide.All. Retrieved 2026-10-12.

Labor market in other areas

More topics for the United States

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