WASHINGTON, DC – Today, the Joint Economic Committee released its monthly State Employment Update, outlining the employment situation in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. In February, among all 50 states and D.C., the unemployment rate fell in 9, rose in 18, and remained unchanged in 24. The highest unemployment rate was 6.5 percent in District of Columbia, and the lowest was 2.3 percent in Hawaii and South Dakota. Nationally, the unemployment rate fell by 0.1 percentage point to 4.3 percent.

Nationally, the unemployment rate in February was 4.4 percent. Compared to the national rate, three States matched the national average while 27 States were lower, and 20 States and the District of Columbia were higher. In comparison to the national labor force participation rate of 62 percent in February, 20 States were lower, and 30 States and the District of Columbia were higher.  

Also, in February, payroll jobs rose in 14 states and fell in 36. The largest payroll job percent increase was 0.4 percent in Wyoming. The largest payroll job percent decline was 0.6 percent in Nebraska.

For the full report, and to see more details on the employment situation in each State and the District of Columbia visit: https://www.jec.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/republicans/employment-update#seu 

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