New data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) shows unemployment rates declined in eight states in June, increased in two states and remained essentially unchanged in 40 states and the District of Columbia.
The national unemployment rate held steady at 4.2 percent, with little change both month over month and compared with June 2025. Thirteen states reported higher unemployment rates than a year earlier, while seven states posted declines. Thirty states and the District of Columbia saw little change from the previous year.
Nonfarm payroll employment increased in three states in June, declined in one state and was essentially unchanged in 46 states and the District of Columbia. Over the year, employment increased in four states, declined in one state and the District of Columbia, and remained largely unchanged in 45 states.
South Dakota recorded the lowest unemployment rate in June at 2.0 percent, while the District of Columbia had the highest rate at 6.0 percent. Seventeen states reported unemployment rates below the national average of 4.2 percent, eight states and the District of Columbia had higher rates, and 25 states had rates that were not significantly different from the national figure.
Four states recorded the largest monthly unemployment rate declines in June. Delaware, Rhode Island, South Carolina and Wyoming each saw rates fall by 0.2 percentage points. Massachusetts, North Dakota, Ohio and Pennsylvania each reported declines of 0.1 percentage point.
Alabama and Kentucky recorded the largest monthly increases, with unemployment rates rising by 0.2 percentage points each. The remaining 40 states and the District of Columbia had rates that were not significantly different from May, although some experienced numerical changes.
Compared with June 2025, unemployment rates increased in 13 states. Connecticut recorded the largest increase, rising 1.3 percentage points, followed by Oklahoma, which increased by 1.0 percentage point. Seven states posted year-over-year unemployment rate declines. Ohio recorded the largest improvement, with its unemployment rate falling 1.0 percentage point. Thirty states and the District of Columbia reported rates that were not significantly different from a year earlier.
In June, nonfarm payroll employment gains were reported in Texas, Minnesota and New Hampshire. Texas added 43,400 jobs, an increase of 0.3 percent, while Minnesota gained 13,200 jobs, up 0.4 percent. New Hampshire added 4,500 jobs, a 0.6 percent increase. West Virginia recorded the only monthly employment decline, losing 9,100 jobs, down 1.2 percent.
Over the year, payroll employment increased in Texas, North Carolina, Minnesota and Nevada. Texas added 177,900 jobs, up 1.2 percent, while North Carolina gained 62,900 jobs, also up 1.2 percent. Minnesota added 45,900 jobs, an increase of 1.5 percent, and Nevada gained 36,700 jobs, up 2.3 percent. The largest year-over-year employment declines occurred in Virginia, which lost 43,600 jobs, down 1.0 percent, and the District of Columbia, which lost 36,100 jobs, down 4.8 percent.
