State labor market conditions remained generally positive in April, with most states recording employment gains despite signs of moderating national job growth. Construction employment also posted modest gains across much of the country, while unemployment rates continued to vary widely by state, reflecting differences in regional economic conditions and labor market strength.
In April, nonfarm payroll employment increased in 41 states and the District of Columbia compared to March, while nine states recorded declines. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, total U.S. nonfarm payroll employment rose by 115,000 jobs in April, following a gain of 185,000 jobs in March.
On a month-over-month basis, employment gains were led by Florida (+40,500), followed by North Carolina (+16,000), and Minnesota (+15,900). In contrast, nine states collectively lost 22,000 jobs, with New York posting the largest decline (-10,600). In percentage terms, New Mexico recorded the strongest increase (+0.6 percent), while North Dakota experienced the largest decrease (-0.4 percent) between March and April.
On a year-over-year basis ending in April, total nonfarm employment increased by 251,000 jobs nationwide, representing a 0.2 percent gain relative to April 2025. Job gains ranged from 200 in South Dakota and West Virginia to 101,500 in California. Collectively, 20 states and the District of Columbia (D.C.) lost 213,700 jobs over the past 12 months, with D.C. experiencing the largest decline (-39,100).
In percentage terms, job growth ranged from 0.1 percent in Mississippi, Colorado, New Jersey, Missouri, and Georgia to 1.9 percent in Nevada. South Dakota, Massachusetts, West Virginia, and Tennessee reported no change during the past 12 months. Among states with losses, declines ranged from 0.1 percent in Washington, Wyoming, Illinois, and Michigan to 1.2 percent in Oregon; however, D.C. recorded a substantially larger decline of 5.1 percent.
Construction Employment
Construction employment 1—which includes both residential and non-residential construction, posted gains in April. Thirty-two states added construction jobs compared to March, while 15 states experienced declines; three states and D.C. reported no change. Florida posted the largest monthly gain, adding 6,000 jobs, while New Jersey recorded the largest loss (-1,500). Overall, the construction sector added a net 9,000 jobs nationwide in April. In percentage terms, New Mexico recorded the strongest monthly increase (+4.9 percent), while Maine experienced the steepest decline (-1.9 percent).
Year-over-year, construction employment increased by 50,000 jobs nationwide, a 0.6 percent gain compared to April 2025. Texas led all states with an increase of 18,700 construction jobs, while California recorded the largest loss (-14,500). In percentage terms, Louisiana posted the strongest annual growth in construction employment (+5.8 percent), while Alaska experienced the largest decline (-5.6 percent).
State Unemployment Rate
The state unemployment rate is a key economic indicator that reflects the health of local labor markets, measuring the percentage of the workforce actively seeking work but unable to find it. High unemployment signals a weakening state economy, while low unemployment suggests a tight labor market that may contribute to rising wage pressures.
South Dakota had the lowest unemployment rates at 2.2 percent, while the District of Columbia had the highest rate at 6.2 percent. This elevated rate reflects significant federal workforce reductions and layoffs, exceeding 300,000 positions, which disproportionately affected the District in 2025. North Dakota, Hawaii, Vermont, and Alabama reported unemployment rates below 3.0 percent. Michigan, Connecticut, Illinois, Washington, Oregon, Nevada, California, and Delaware all recorded unemployment rates at or above 5.0 percent.