July 2025 | Released August 19, 2025

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United States

Employment snapshot

• In July, among the 50 states and the District of Columbia unemployment fell in 6, rose in 15, and remained unchanged in 30.

• The highest unemployment rate was 6 percent in District of Columbia, and the lowest was 1.9 percent in South Dakota. Nationally, the unemployment rate rose by 0.1 percentage point to 4.2 percent.

• In July, payroll jobs rose in 31 states and fell in 20. The largest payroll job percent increase was 0.6 percent in Missouri. The largest payroll job percent decline was 0.5 percent in Wyoming.

Delaware

Employment snapshot

• In July, Delaware added 300 net payroll jobs and the unemployment rate rose by 0.1 percentage point to 4.1 percent. In the prior month, Delaware lost 900 net payroll jobs.

• Over the past 12 months, Delaware added 3,900 net payroll jobs and the unemployment rate rose by 0.4 percentage points from 3.7 percent.

• Nationally, nonfarm payrolls rose by 73,000 in July, or 0 percent. Delaware is tied for 27th in the nation for percentage gain in nonfarm payroll employment over the past 12 months.

• In July, Delaware’s private sector added 600 net private payroll jobs, and over the past 12 months it added 3,400 private payroll jobs. In the prior month, Delaware lost 900 net private payroll jobs.

• In July, employment in Delaware rose by 391, and over the past 12 months it fell by 145.

• Delaware’s labor force participation rate rose to 59 percent in July from 58.9 percent and ranks 42nd in the nation. In the past 12 months, the labor force participation rate has fallen by 0.6 percentage points.

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Delaware

Payroll employment

• Delaware added 300 net payroll jobs, or 0.1 percent, on a seasonally adjusted basis during July. In the prior month, Delaware lost 900 jobs. Delaware nonfarm payroll employment has increased in 9 of the past 12 months.

• Nationally, nonfarm payrolls rose by 73,000 in July, or 0 percent. Delaware is tied for 27th in the nation for percentage gain in nonfarm payroll employment over the past 12 months.

• Delaware added 600 private sector jobs, or 0.1 percent, on a seasonally adjusted basis during July. In the prior month, Delaware lost 900 jobs. Delaware private sector payroll employment has increased in 8 of the past 12 months.

• Nationally, private sector payroll jobs rose by 83,000 jobs in July, or 0.1 percent. Delaware is tied for 28th in the nation for percentage gain in private sector payroll employment over the past 12 months.

From June 2025 to July 2025:

• The best performing sectors were Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (+600) and Professional and Business Services (+400).
• The worst performing sectors were Leisure and Hospitality (-500) and State and Local Government (-400).

From July 2024 to July 2025:

• The best performing sectors were Private Education and Health Services (+2,600) and Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (+700).
• The worst performing sectors were Leisure and Hospitality (-600) and Manufacturing (-200).

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 rose to 59 percent in July from 58.9 percent in the prior month.

• 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 June 2025.

• The national labor force participation rate fell by 0.1 percentage points to 62.2 percent in July.