The latest U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics State Employment and Unemployment report for September 2023 offers a glimpse into the nation's diverse job markets.
According to the economic release from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics published on Oct. 20, unemployment rates experienced shifts across the United States in September 2023. Out of the 50 states and the District of Columbia, 16 states saw higher unemployment rates, while 34 states and the District maintained stability. The national unemployment rate stood at 3.8%, remaining unchanged over the month but showing a 0.3 percentage point increase compared to September 2022.
Nonfarm payroll employment showed mixed results, with six states seeing increases and the remaining 44 states and the District of Columbia witnessing relatively stable employment figures during September 2023. Over the year, 36 states reported growth in nonfarm payroll employment, while 14 states and the District experienced no significant change, according to the economic release from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
In terms of individual state performance, Maryland boasted the lowest jobless rate at 1.6%, followed closely by North Dakota, South Dakota and Vermont at 1.9% each, according to the report. Conversely, Nevada reported the highest unemployment rate at 5.4%.
Of the states, 25 had unemployment rates lower than the national average, while two states and the District of Columbia reported higher rates. The remaining 23 states had rates not significantly different from the national average.
September saw 16 states with over-the-month unemployment rate increases, with Illinois registering the largest change at +0.3 percentage points. Meanwhile, 34 states and the District of Columbia experienced jobless rates that remained relatively unchanged compared to the previous month.
In terms of year-over-year changes, 24 states had lower unemployment rates, with Maryland seeing the most significant decline at -1.6 percentage points. In contrast, 10 states and the District of Columbia reported rate increases compared to September 2022, with New Jersey experiencing the largest increase at +1.2 percentage points.
Regarding nonfarm payroll employment, Texas, Georgia and Oregon led in job gains in September 2023, with increases of +61,400, +17,100, and +8,100 jobs, respectively. South Dakota, Delaware and Mississippi saw the largest percentage increases at +0.9%, +0.7% and +0.5%, respectively.
Over the year, Texas, California and Florida posted the most substantial job gains, with increases of +435,800, +302,800, and +241,200 jobs, respectively. Nevada, Texas and Idaho recorded the largest percentage increases at +3.4%, +3.2% and +3.0%, respectively.