Quick answer
The latest unemployment rate by state data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) cover September 2026. South Dakota had the lowest rate at 2.0%, the District of Columbia the highest at 5.6%, and the national rate was 4.2%. All figures are seasonally adjusted and preliminary.
The unemployment rate by state ranged from 2.0% in South Dakota to 5.6% in the District of Columbia in September 2026, according to the BLS State Employment and Unemployment release published October 20, 2026. That is the newest state data available. The national rate for the same month was 4.2%. Every figure on this page is seasonally adjusted, and the September state numbers are preliminary, so BLS may revise them by a tenth of a point or so next month.
State unemployment rates vs the national rate
State figures always trail the national number by about a month. BLS publishes the national rate first in the monthly jobs report, then the state rates roughly two weeks later.
- The national unemployment rate was 4.1% in October 2026, with 7.1 million people unemployed, according to the Employment Situation release of November 6, 2026. BLS said both "changed little."
- For September 2026, the month the state data cover, the national rate was 4.2%, which BLS said "changed little both over the month and over the year."
- BLS found 20 states with September rates significantly below the national rate, 2 states and DC significantly above it, and 28 states not appreciably different. "Significantly" means the gap is larger than the survey's sampling error.
- On published numbers alone, 31 states were under 4.2%, 2 matched it and 17 states plus DC were above it (Workzenly count from the BLS ranked table). Many of those gaps are too small to be meaningful, which is why the BLS count is lower.
- The middle state, Arkansas or Maryland at 3.9%, sat 0.3 point below the national rate (Workzenly calculation: median of 51 published rates).
- The gap between the lowest and highest rate was 3.6 percentage points (5.6% minus 2.0%, Workzenly calculation).
- Over the month from August to September 2026, only 5 states had significant rate changes, all decreases: Maryland and New Hampshire (−0.2 point each) and Florida, Nevada and Pennsylvania (−0.1 point each). The other 45 states and DC were essentially unchanged.
What this means for employers: The national rate hides a wide spread. A business hiring in South Dakota or New Hampshire is competing for a much smaller pool of job seekers than one hiring in California or Michigan. Use your own state's rate, and the trend in it, when you set pay and plan how long a hire will take.
Unemployment rate by state: full table
The table lists all 50 states and DC from lowest to highest unemployment in September 2026. Ranks follow the BLS ranked state table, where tied states share a rank. Monthly rates and the September 2025 comparison come from Table 1 of the same release. The change column is a Workzenly calculation in percentage points.
| Rank | State | Sep 2026 | Aug 2026 | Sep 2025 | Change in 1 year (pts) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | South Dakota | 2.0% | 2.0% | 2.1% | −0.1 |
| 2 | North Dakota | 2.2% | 2.2% | 2.6% | −0.4 |
| 3 | New Hampshire | 2.6% | 2.8% | 3.2% | −0.6 |
| 3 | Vermont | 2.6% | 2.6% | 2.6% | 0.0 |
| 5 | Hawaii | 2.8% | 2.7% | 2.1% | +0.7 |
| 6 | Nebraska | 2.9% | 2.9% | 2.9% | 0.0 |
| 7 | Wyoming | 3.0% | 3.0% | 3.4% | −0.4 |
| 8 | Montana | 3.1% | 3.2% | 3.5% | −0.4 |
| 9 | Iowa | 3.2% | 3.2% | 3.4% | −0.2 |
| 9 | Wisconsin | 3.2% | 3.2% | 3.1% | +0.1 |
| 11 | Georgia | 3.3% | 3.2% | 3.4% | −0.1 |
| 11 | Maine | 3.3% | 3.2% | 3.3% | 0.0 |
| 11 | Mississippi | 3.3% | 3.4% | 3.7% | −0.4 |
| 14 | Indiana | 3.4% | 3.3% | 3.7% | −0.3 |
| 14 | North Carolina | 3.4% | 3.5% | 3.9% | −0.5 |
| 14 | Ohio | 3.4% | 3.3% | 4.3% | −0.9 |
| 14 | Tennessee | 3.4% | 3.4% | 3.5% | −0.1 |
| 18 | Alabama | 3.5% | 3.4% | 2.8% | +0.7 |
| 18 | Utah | 3.5% | 3.5% | 3.6% | −0.1 |
| 20 | Idaho | 3.6% | 3.6% | 3.6% | 0.0 |
| 20 | Missouri | 3.6% | 3.5% | 3.9% | −0.3 |
| 20 | Pennsylvania | 3.6% | 3.7% | 4.4% | −0.8 |
| 20 | Rhode Island | 3.6% | 3.7% | 4.3% | −0.7 |
| 20 | Virginia | 3.6% | 3.6% | 3.4% | +0.2 |
| 25 | Kansas | 3.8% | 3.8% | 3.8% | 0.0 |
| 26 | Arkansas | 3.9% | 3.9% | 4.2% | −0.3 |
| 26 | Maryland | 3.9% | 4.1% | 4.3% | −0.4 |
| 28 | Louisiana | 4.0% | 4.2% | 4.2% | −0.2 |
| 28 | South Carolina | 4.0% | 4.1% | 4.7% | −0.7 |
| 28 | West Virginia | 4.0% | 4.0% | 4.5% | −0.5 |
| 31 | Colorado | 4.1% | 4.0% | 3.8% | +0.3 |
| 32 | New Jersey | 4.2% | 4.3% | 5.5% | −1.3 |
| 32 | Oklahoma | 4.2% | 4.3% | 3.6% | +0.6 |
| 34 | Alaska | 4.3% | 4.3% | 4.7% | −0.4 |
| 34 | Massachusetts | 4.3% | 4.3% | 4.6% | −0.3 |
| 34 | New York | 4.3% | 4.3% | 4.6% | −0.3 |
| 37 | Florida | 4.4% | 4.5% | 4.2% | +0.2 |
| 37 | Texas | 4.4% | 4.4% | 4.3% | +0.1 |
| 39 | Minnesota | 4.5% | 4.4% | 4.1% | +0.4 |
| 40 | Delaware | 4.6% | 4.7% | 5.2% | −0.6 |
| 40 | Illinois | 4.6% | 4.7% | 4.5% | +0.1 |
| 42 | Kentucky | 4.7% | 4.7% | 4.5% | +0.2 |
| 42 | Nevada | 4.7% | 4.8% | 5.2% | −0.5 |
| 42 | New Mexico | 4.7% | 4.7% | 4.2% | +0.5 |
| 45 | Washington | 4.8% | 4.9% | 4.7% | +0.1 |
| 46 | Arizona | 4.9% | 4.9% | 4.4% | +0.5 |
| 47 | Michigan | 5.0% | 5.0% | 4.9% | +0.1 |
| 47 | Oregon | 5.0% | 5.1% | 5.3% | −0.3 |
| 49 | California | 5.1% | 5.1% | 5.5% | −0.4 |
| 49 | Connecticut | 5.1% | 5.1% | 4.2% | +0.9 |
| 51 | District of Columbia | 5.6% | 5.7% | 6.6% | −1.0 |
Source: BLS, Local Area Unemployment Statistics, State Employment and Unemployment for September 2026, released October 20, 2026. Seasonally adjusted. September 2026 is preliminary. United States: 4.2% in September 2026.
Lowest unemployment rate by state
The lowest state unemployment rates cluster in the Plains, the mountain West and northern New England, plus Hawaii.
- South Dakota had the lowest rate at 2.0%, down from 2.1% a year earlier. It was also the lowest state in 2024 as a whole, at 1.8%, according to the BLS 2024 annual average summary.
- North Dakota was second at 2.2%, down 0.4 point from 2.6% in September 2025.
- New Hampshire and Vermont tied for third at 2.6%. New Hampshire fell 0.6 point in a year and 0.2 point in September alone, one of only five significant monthly moves.
- Hawaii ranked fifth at 2.8%, but it rose 0.7 point from 2.1% in September 2025, one of the largest increases in the country.
- Ten states had rates of 3.2% or lower, the eight above plus Iowa and Wisconsin.
What this means for employers: In these states, most people who want a job already have one. Expect fewer applicants per opening, more candidates who are currently employed, and more offers turned down for a better one. Speed matters: reply within a day and make the offer while the candidate is still interested.
Highest unemployment rate by state
The highest unemployment rates in September 2026 were on the West Coast, in the Southwest, in Michigan and in parts of the Northeast.
- The District of Columbia had the highest rate at 5.6%. It is still 1.0 point lower than its 6.6% in September 2025. DC was also the only place with a significant drop in payroll jobs over the year (see below).
- California and Connecticut had the highest rates among the 50 states, both 5.1%. They got there from opposite directions: California fell from 5.5% a year earlier, while Connecticut rose from 4.2%, the largest increase BLS reported.
- Michigan and Oregon were next at 5.0%. Michigan was up 0.1 point over the year and Oregon down 0.3 point.
- Arizona (4.9%) and Washington (4.8%) completed the top seven. Arizona rose 0.5 point in a year.
- For comparison, the highest state rate for 2024 as a whole was Nevada's 5.6%, per the BLS annual summary. Nevada was at 4.7% in September 2026.
What this means for employers: A higher rate usually means more applicants per opening, but not always more qualified ones. Large states like California hold very different local markets, so check the metro or county figures in LAUS before you assume hiring will be easy. Pay rules matter here too: California, Washington and Connecticut all set high state minimum wages (see our minimum wage by state guide).
How state rates changed in a year
Comparing September 2026 with September 2025 shows where labor markets loosened and where they tightened. BLS reported significant over-the-year decreases in 20 states and DC, significant increases in 7 states, and no significant change in 23 states.
- New Jersey had the largest decrease, 1.3 points, from 5.5% to 4.2%, per BLS.
- Connecticut had the largest increase, 0.9 point, from 4.2% to 5.1%.
- On published numbers, 29 states and DC had a lower rate than a year earlier, 16 states had a higher rate and 5 (Idaho, Kansas, Maine, Nebraska and Vermont) were unchanged (Workzenly count). BLS treats only 21 of the 30 decreases and 7 of the 16 increases as statistically significant, which is why its counts are smaller.
- Ohio moved from 4.3% to 3.4% and Pennsylvania from 4.4% to 3.6%, taking both well below the national rate.
- Alabama rose from 2.8% to 3.5% and Oklahoma from 3.6% to 4.2%, though both stayed at or below the national rate.
What this means for employers: The direction matters as much as the level. In New Jersey, Ohio or Pennsylvania, the candidate pool shrank over the year, so wage offers that filled roles in 2025 may now fall short. In Connecticut, Hawaii or Arizona, more people are looking, which can shorten time to hire for entry-level and hourly roles.
State job growth
The unemployment rate counts people (by where they live). Payroll employment counts jobs (by where the employer is). The same BLS release reports both.
- From September 2025 to September 2026, 7 states added a significant number of jobs, 43 states were essentially unchanged and only DC lost jobs significantly.
- The largest gains in numbers were in Texas (+154,300), California (+129,300) and North Carolina (+67,000).
- The largest gains in percent were in South Carolina (+2.3%), Louisiana (+1.8%) and Utah (+1.5%).
- The District of Columbia lost 25,800 jobs over the year, −3.5%.
- In September 2026 alone, New Jersey (+14,900, +0.3%) and South Carolina (+12,500, +0.5%) had significant gains, and Wisconsin had a significant loss (−13,700, −0.4%).
- Nationally, total nonfarm payroll employment rose by 165,000 in October 2026, per the Employment Situation release.
What this means for employers: South Carolina shows both signals at once: the fastest job growth in percent and a 0.7-point drop in unemployment. Employers there are competing with many new openings. California added many jobs and still has one of the highest jobless rates, a sign of a large labor force rather than a tight market.
What state unemployment means for hiring
Nationally, there were 7.5 million job openings (a 4.5% openings rate) and 5.4 million hires in September 2026, according to the BLS Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey released November 3, 2026. Quits rose to 3.4 million, a rate of 2.1%. Our hiring statistics page covers those trends in detail, and employee turnover statistics shows which industries lose people fastest.
For a small or mid-sized employer, three practical steps follow from your state's rate:
- Below about 3.5%: plan for longer searches and more counteroffers. Post pay ranges (required in several states; see pay transparency laws by state), and keep the process to a few days.
- Near the national rate: watch the trend. A falling rate, as in Ohio or Pennsylvania, tightens hiring within months.
- Above about 4.5%: expect more applicants, so screening time grows. A single applicant list and quick interview booking save hours.
Whatever the state, have new hire paperwork ready before the offer goes out, and check overtime laws by state if you plan to cover open shifts with extra hours while you hire. Small firms make up most US employers, as our small business statistics show, and they often feel a tight market first.
What this means for employers: The unemployment rate tells you how hard hiring will be, not whether to hire. Fast replies, clear pay and organized onboarding help in every state, and matter most where the rate is lowest.
About this data
State unemployment rates come from the BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS) program, which models state estimates from the Current Population Survey, payroll data and state unemployment insurance claims. BLS publishes them monthly in the State Employment and Unemployment release, about two weeks after the national Employment Situation report. Rates refer to where people live and are seasonally adjusted. The most recent month is preliminary and revised the next month, and each February BLS revises earlier years. State payroll job figures come from the Current Employment Statistics program in the same release. National openings and hires come from JOLTS, published monthly.
The newest annual state summary we could open covers 2024; we use it only for long-run context. Figures on this page are copied as published; changes, counts and the median are labeled as Workzenly calculations. We review this page when each new state release comes out. The next one, for October 2026, is scheduled for November 20, 2026. Journalists, students and bloggers are welcome to cite this page with a link.
More workforce statistics: Hiring statistics · Layoffs statistics · Average hourly wage · Minimum wage statistics.
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, State Employment and Unemployment, September 2026 (USDL-26-1603), released October 20, 2026. bls.gov/news.release/laus.nr0.htm
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Table 1. Civilian labor force and unemployment by state, seasonally adjusted, September 2026 release. bls.gov/news.release/laus.t01.htm
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Unemployment Rates for States, Seasonally Adjusted, September 2026 (ranked), last modified October 20, 2026. bls.gov/web/laus/laumstrk.htm
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, The Employment Situation, October 2026, released November 6, 2026. bls.gov/news.release/empsit.nr0.htm
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Job Openings and Labor Turnover, September 2026, released November 3, 2026. bls.gov/news.release/jolts.nr0.htm
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Regional and State Unemployment, 2024 Annual Average Summary (USDL-25-0294), released March 5, 2025. bls.gov/news.release/srgune.nr0.htm
Frequently asked questions
Which state has the lowest unemployment rate?
South Dakota, at 2.0% in September 2026, seasonally adjusted, according to the BLS State Employment and Unemployment release of October 20, 2026. North Dakota was second at 2.2%, and New Hampshire and Vermont tied for third at 2.6%. South Dakota also had the lowest state rate for 2024 as a whole, 1.8%.
Which state has the highest unemployment rate?
The District of Columbia had the highest rate in September 2026, 5.6%, according to BLS. Among the 50 states, California and Connecticut were highest at 5.1%, followed by Michigan and Oregon at 5.0%. DC's rate was still down 1.0 percentage point from 6.6% in September 2025.
What is the US unemployment rate in 2026?
The national unemployment rate was 4.1% in October 2026, with 7.1 million people unemployed, according to the BLS Employment Situation release of November 6, 2026. It was 4.2% in September 2026, the month the latest state figures cover. BLS described both as little changed.
How many states have unemployment below the national rate?
BLS says 20 states had September 2026 rates significantly below the national 4.2%, while two states and DC were significantly higher and 28 states were not appreciably different. By simple comparison, 31 states had a published rate under 4.2%, but small gaps are within sampling error.
When is the next state unemployment report?
BLS scheduled the State Employment and Unemployment release for October 2026 on Friday, November 20, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. Eastern. State data come out about two weeks after the national jobs report for the same month, so they always trail the national rate by one month.
Which state's unemployment rate fell the most in the past year?
New Jersey. Its rate fell 1.3 percentage points, from 5.5% in September 2025 to 4.2% in September 2026, the largest decrease BLS reported. Connecticut had the largest increase, up 0.9 point to 5.1%. BLS counted 20 states and DC with significant decreases and 7 states with significant increases.