March 2025 | Released April 18, 2025

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United States Employment Snapshot

• In March, among the 50 states and the District of Columbia unemployment fell in 15, rose in 17, and remained unchanged in 19.

• The highest unemployment rate was 5.7 percent in Nevada, and the lowest was 1.8 percent in South Dakota. Nationally, the unemployment rate rose by 0.1 percentage point to 4.2 percent.

• In March, payroll jobs rose in 38 states and fell in 12. The largest payroll job percent increase was 0.5 percent in Missouri. The largest payroll job percent decline was 0.3 percent in Connecticut.

Hawaii Employment Snapshot

• In March, Hawaii added 2,500 net payroll jobs and the unemployment rate fell by 0.1 percentage point to 2.9 percent. In the prior month, Hawaii added 1,200 net payroll jobs.

• Over the past 12 months, Hawaii added 11,800 net payroll jobs and the unemployment rate remained unchanged.

• Nationally, nonfarm payrolls rose by 228,000 in March, or 0.1 percent. Hawaii ranks 4th in the nation for percentage gain in nonfarm payroll employment over the past 12 months.

• In March, Hawaii’s private sector added 900 net private payroll jobs, and over the past 12 months it added 8,800 private payroll jobs. In the prior month, Hawaii added 2,000 net private payroll jobs.

• In March, employment in Hawaii rose by 2,088, and over the past 12 months it rose by 8,542.

• Hawaii’s labor force participation rate rose to 60.4 percent in March from 60.2 percent and ranks 38th in the nation. In the past 12 months, the labor force participation rate has risen by 0.6 percentage points.

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Hawaii Payroll Employment

• Hawaii added 2,500 net payroll jobs, or 0.4 percent, on a seasonally adjusted basis during March. In the prior month, Hawaii added 1,200 jobs. Hawaii nonfarm payroll employment has increased in 9 of the past 12 months.

• Nationally, nonfarm payrolls rose by 228,000 in March, or 0.1 percent. Hawaii ranks 4th in the nation for percentage gain in nonfarm payroll employment over the past 12 months.

• Hawaii added 900 private sector jobs, or 0.2 percent. on a seasonally adjusted basis during March. In the prior month, Hawaii added 2,000 jobs. Hawaii private sector payroll employment has increased in 8 of the past 12 months.

• Nationally, private sector payroll jobs rose by 209,000 jobs in March, or 0.2 percent. Hawaii is tied for 3rd in the nation for percentage gain in private sector payroll employment over the past 12 months.

• The best performing sectors on a seasonally adjusted basis during March were Government (1,600) and Leisure and Hospitality (1,300).

• The poorest performing sectors during the month were Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (-200) and Financial Activities (-200).

• The best performing sectors during the last 12 months were Leisure and Hospitality (3,500) and Government (3,000).

• The poorest performing sectors during the last 12 months were Financial Activities (200) and Professional and Business Services (-800).

Hawaii Labor Force

The labor force participation rate is the percentage of the civilian noninstitutionalized population age 16 and older who are employed or actively looking for work.

• The labor force participation rate in Hawaii rose to 60.4 percent in March from 60.2 percent in the prior month.

• Hawaii ranks 38th in the nation.

• The 10-year high for the labor force participation rate in Hawaii was 62.4 percent in March 2017, and the 10-year low was 55.3 percent in September 2020.

• The national labor force participation rate rose by 0.1 percentage points to 62.5 percent in March.