May 2026 | Released June 23, 2026
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United States
Employment snapshot
In May, among the 50 states and the District of Columbia unemployment fell in 20, rose in 9, and remained unchanged in 22.
The highest unemployment rate was 6.1 percent in District of Columbia, and the lowest was 2.1 percent in South Dakota. Nationally, the unemployment rate remained unchanged in May.
In May, payroll jobs rose in 38 states and fell in 13. The largest payroll job percent increase was 1.4 percent in West Virginia. The largest payroll job percent decline was 0.5 percent in Montana.
Colorado
Employment snapshot
In May, Colorado lost 400 net payroll jobs and the unemployment rate remained unchanged at 3.9 percent. In the prior month, Colorado added 10,900 net payroll jobs.
Over the past 12 months, Colorado added 100 net payroll jobs and the unemployment rate fell by 0.2 percentage points from 4.1 percent.
Nationally, nonfarm payrolls rose by 172,000 in May, or 0.1 percent. Colorado is tied for 31st in the nation for percentage gain in nonfarm payroll employment over the past 12 months.
In May, Colorado’s private sector remained unchanged with 0 net private payroll jobs, and over the past 12 months it added 3,600 private payroll jobs. In the prior month, Colorado added 10,900 net private payroll jobs.
In May, employment in Colorado fell by 8,894, and over the past 12 months it fell by 48,128.
Colorado’s labor force participation rate fell to 65.9 percent in May from 66.1 percent and ranks 10th in the nation. In the past 12 months, the labor force participation rate has fallen by 1.4 percentage points.
Colorado
Payroll employment
Colorado lost 400 net payroll jobs, or 0 percent, on a seasonally adjusted basis during May. In the prior month, Colorado added 10,900 jobs. Colorado nonfarm payroll employment has increased in 6 of the past 12 months.
Nationally, nonfarm payrolls rose by 172,000 in May, or 0.1 percent. Colorado is tied for 31st in the nation for percentage gain in nonfarm payroll employment over the past 12 months.
Colorado remained unchanged with 0 private sector jobs, or 0 percent, on a seasonally adjusted basis during May. In the prior month, Colorado added 10,900 jobs. Colorado private sector payroll employment has increased in 6 of the past 12 months.
Nationally, private sector payroll jobs rose by 120,000 jobs in May, or 0.1 percent. Colorado is tied for 30th in the nation for percentage gain in private sector payroll employment over the past 12 months.
From April 2026 to May 2026:
- The best performing sectors were Private Education and Health Services (+1,900) and Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (+1,000).
- The worst performing sectors were Financial Activities (-2,000) and Manufacturing (-1,200).
From May 2025 to May 2026:
- The best performing sectors were Private Education and Health Services (+17,100) and Construction (+3,400).
- The worst performing sectors were Federal Government (-5,400) and Financial Activities (-5,400).
Colorado
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 Colorado fell to 65.9 percent in May from 66.1 percent in the prior month.
Colorado ranks 10th in the nation.
The 10-year high for the labor force participation rate in Colorado was 68.8 percent occurring in November 2019, and the 10-year low was 65.4 percent in July 2020.
The national labor force participation rate remained steady at 61.8 percent in May.