February’s labor market information level to a notable pullback in employment, with job losses concentrated throughout a majority of states and solely modest beneficial properties elsewhere. Whereas January confirmed stable momentum, February’s decline displays rising softness in hiring circumstances, alongside uneven efficiency throughout the nation.
In February, nonfarm payroll employment elevated in 14 states in comparison with January, whereas 36 states recorded declines. The District of Columbia reported no change. In line with the Bureau of Labor Statistics, whole U.S. nonfarm payroll employment fell by 133,000 in February, following a sturdy 160,000 job achieve in January.
On a month-over-month foundation, employment beneficial properties have been led by Arizona (+11,000), adopted by Indiana (+3,600). Louisiana and New Mexico tied for third place with 2,700 job beneficial properties every. In distinction, a complete of 217,200 jobs have been misplaced throughout 36 states, with New York posting the most important decline (-22,000). In proportion phrases, Wyoming recorded the strongest enhance (+0.4 %), whereas Nebraska skilled the most important lower (-0.6 %) between January and February.
On a year-over-year foundation ending in February, whole nonfarm employment elevated by 149,000 jobs nationwide, representing a 0.1 % achieve relative to February 2025. Job beneficial properties ranged from 500 in New Mexico to 120,500 in California. Twenty-seven states and the District of Columbia collectively misplaced 342,400 jobs over the previous 12 months, with Maryland experiencing the most important decline (-52,700). In proportion phrases, job progress ranged from 0.1 % in North Dakota, New York, Ohio, Kansas, Connecticut, New Mexico, and Missouri to 2.2 % in Nevada. Amongst states with losses, declines ranged from 0.1 % in Delaware, Mississippi, Louisiana, New Jersey, Georgia, and Kentucky to 1.9 % in Maryland; the District of Columbia, nevertheless, recorded a considerably bigger decline of 5.5 %.
Development Employment
Development employment —which incorporates each residential and non-residential development, confirmed job losses in February. Twenty-two states added development jobs in comparison with January, whereas 27 states and the District of Columbia skilled declines; South Dakota reported no change. Florida posted the most important month-to-month achieve, including 1,100 jobs, whereas New Jersey recorded the most important loss (-5,900). General, the development sector misplaced a internet 13,000 jobs nationwide in February. In proportion phrases, Montana recorded the strongest month-to-month enhance (+1.3 %), whereas Delaware skilled the steepest decline (-4.4 %).
12 months-over-year, development employment elevated by 37,000 jobs nationwide, a 0.4 % achieve in comparison with February 2025. Texas led all states with a rise of 24,000 development jobs, whereas California recorded the most important loss (-10,300). In proportion phrases, Montana posted the strongest annual progress in development employment (+8.8 %), whereas Alaska skilled the most important decline (-5.6 %).
State Unemployment Fee
The state unemployment charge is a key financial indicator that displays the well being of native labor markets, measuring the share of the workforce actively looking for work however unable to seek out it. Excessive unemployment alerts a weakening state economic system, whereas low unemployment suggests a good labor market that will contribute to rising wage pressures.
Hawaii and South Dakota had the bottom unemployment charges at 2.3 %, whereas the District of Columbia had the very best charge at 6.5 %. This elevated charge displays vital federal workforce reductions and layoffs, exceeding 300,000 positions, which disproportionately affected the District in 2025. Vermont, North Dakota, and Alabama reported unemployment charges under 3.0 %. South Carolina, Michigan, Illinois, Washington, New Jersey, Oregon, Nevada, California, and Delaware all recorded unemployment charges at or above 5.0 %.
