April 2025
Released May 21, 2025
Released April 18, 2025
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United States Employment Snapshot
In April, among the 50 states and the District of Columbia unemployment fell in 5, rose in 20, and remained unchanged in 26.
The highest unemployment rate was 5.8 percent in District of Columbia, and the lowest was 1.8 percent in South Dakota. Nationally, the unemployment rate remained unchanged in April.
In April, payroll jobs rose in 40 states and fell in 11. The largest payroll job percent increase was 0.4 percent in Mississippi. The largest payroll job percent decline was 0.2 percent in Vermont.
Delaware Employment Snapshot
In April, Delaware added 1,200 net payroll jobs and the unemployment rate rose by 0.2 percentage point to 3.9 percent. In the prior month, Delaware added 400 net payroll jobs.
Over the past 12 months, Delaware added 5,300 net payroll jobs and the unemployment rate rose by 0.2 percentage points from 3.7 percent.
Nationally, nonfarm payrolls rose by 177,000 in April, or 0.1 percent. Delaware is tied for 20th in the nation for percentage gain in nonfarm payroll employment over the past 12 months.
In April, Delaware’s private sector added 800 net private payroll jobs, and over the past 12 months it added 3,600 private payroll jobs. In the prior month, Delaware added 200 net private payroll jobs.
In April, employment in Delaware rose by 32, and over the past 12 months it fell by 176.
Delaware’s labor force participation rate remained steady at 58.9 percent in April and ranks 42nd in the nation. In the past 12 months, the labor force participation rate has fallen by 0.9 percentage points.
Delaware Payroll Employment
Delaware added 1,200 net payroll jobs, or 0.2 percent, on a seasonally adjusted basis during April. In the prior month, Delaware added 400 jobs. Delaware nonfarm payroll employment has increased in 10 of the past 12 months.
Nationally, nonfarm payrolls rose by 177,000 in April, or 0.1 percent. Delaware is tied for 20th in the nation for percentage gain in nonfarm payroll employment over the past 12 months.
Delaware added 800 private sector jobs, or 0.2 percent. on a seasonally adjusted basis during April. In the prior month, Delaware added 200 jobs. Delaware private sector payroll employment has increased in 8 of the past 12 months.
Nationally, private sector payroll jobs rose by 167,000 jobs in April, or 0.1 percent. Delaware is tied for 22nd 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 April were Government (400) and Trade, Transportation, and Utilities tied with Professional and Business Services (300).
The poorest performing sectors during the month were Manufacturing tied with Other Services (0) and Information (-100).
The best performing sectors during the last 12 months were Education and Health Services (3,300) and Government (1,700).
The poorest performing sectors during the last 12 months were Leisure and Hospitality (-300) and Financial Activities (-600).
Delaware 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 Delaware remained unchanged at 58.9 percent in April.
Delaware ranks 42nd in the nation.
The 10-year high for the labor force participation rate in Delaware was 63.2 percent in June 2020, and the 10-year low was 58.9 percent occurring in April 2025.
The national labor force participation rate rose by 0.1 percentage points to 62.6 percent in April.