With few exceptions, year-over-year nonfarm employment levels were relatively stable across states at the end of 2025, ranging from a decline of 4.2 percent to a gain of 1.8 percent. Construction employment, however, showed considerably greater dispersion, with declines of up to 9.3 percent in some states and gains approaching 9.0 percent in others.
In December, nonfarm payroll employment increased in 22 states and the District of Columbia compared to November, while 27 states recorded declines; Minnesota reported no change. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, total U.S. nonfarm payroll employment rose by 50,000 in December, following substantial downward revisions to the prior two months. For all of 2025, monthly job growth averaged just 49,000, well below the 168,000 average monthly gain recorded in 2024.
On a month-over-month basis, employment gains were led by Texas (+19,700), followed by New York (+19,100) and Illinois (+11,800). In contrast, a total of 53,200 jobs were lost across 27 states, with Indiana posting the largest decline (–7,700). In percentage terms, Montana recorded the strongest increase (+0.4 percent), while Kansas experienced the largest decrease (–0.3 percent) between November and December.
On a year-over-year basis through December, total nonfarm employment increased by 584,000 jobs nationwide, representing a 0.4 percent gain relative to December 2024. Job gains ranged from 1,300 in Massachusetts to 132,500 in Texas. Sixteen states and the District of Columbia collectively lost 115,300 jobs over the past 12 months, with the District of Columbia experiencing the largest decline (–32,400). In percentage terms, job growth ranged from 0.1 percent in Georgia to 1.8 percent in Missouri. Among states with losses, declines ranged from 0.1 percent in California, Kansas, and Connecticut to 0.8 percent in New Hampshire; the District of Columbia, however, recorded a substantially larger decline of 4.2 percent.
Construction Employment
Construction employment 1—which includes both residential and non-residential construction— showed mixed results in December. Twenty states and the District of Columbia added construction jobs compared to November, while 26 states experienced declines; the remaining four states reported no change. Arizona posted the largest monthly gain, adding 3,900 jobs, while Minnesota recorded the largest loss (–9,900). Overall, the construction sector shed a net 11,000 jobs nationwide in December. In percentage terms, Montana recorded the strongest monthly increase (+3.0 percent), while Minnesota experienced the steepest decline (–6.6 percent).
Year-over-year, U.S. construction employment increased by 14,000 jobs, a 0.2 percent gain compared to December 2024. Texas led all states with an increase of 15,700 construction jobs, while California recorded the largest loss (–19,800). In percentage terms, Hawaii posted the strongest annual growth in construction employment (+8.7 percent), while Nevada experienced the largest decline (–9.3 percent).