Unemployment rates were lower in April in 3 states, higher in 2 states, and stable in 45 states and the District of Columbia, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported. Nineteen states had jobless rate increases from a year earlier, 6 states had decreases, and 25 states and the District had little change. South Dakota had the lowest jobless rate in April, 2.2 percent, followed by North Dakota, 2.4 percent. The District of Columbia had the highest unemployment rate, 6.2 percent. The next highest rates were in California, Delaware, and Nevada, 5.3 percent each. The national unemployment rate, 4.3 percent, was unchanged over the month and was little changed from April 2025. 

In April 2026, nonfarm payroll employment increased in 6 states and was essentially unchanged in 44 states and the District of Columbia. The largest job gains occurred in Florida (+40,500), North Carolina (+16,000), and Minnesota (+15,900). The largest percentage increases occurred in New Mexico (+0.6 percent) and Minnesota (+0.5 percent), followed by Colorado, Florida, and Missouri (+0.4 percent each). Over the year, nonfarm payroll employment decreased in 1 state and the District, increased in 1 state, and was essentially unchanged in 48 states.