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.

District of Columbia

Employment snapshot

• In July, District of Columbia added 300 net payroll jobs and the unemployment rate rose by 0.1 percentage point to 6 percent. In the prior month, District of Columbia lost 2,500 net payroll jobs.

• Over the past 12 months, District of Columbia lost 4,200 net payroll jobs and the unemployment rate rose by 0.7 percentage points from 5.3 percent.

• Nationally, nonfarm payrolls rose by 73,000 in July, or 0 percent. District of Columbia ranks 51st in the nation for percentage gain in nonfarm payroll employment over the past 12 months.

• In July, District of Columbia’s private sector added 300 net private payroll jobs, and over the past 12 months it added 1,800 private payroll jobs. In the prior month, District of Columbia lost 1,600 net private payroll jobs.

• In July, employment in District of Columbia fell by 678, and over the past 12 months it rose by 1,883.

• District of Columbia’s labor force participation rate fell to 71.9 percent in July from 72.1 percent and ranks 1st in the nation. In the past 12 months, the labor force participation rate has fallen by 0.2 percentage points.

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District of Columbia

Payroll employment

• District of Columbia added 300 net payroll jobs, or 0 percent, on a seasonally adjusted basis during July. In the prior month, District of Columbia lost 2,500 jobs. District of Columbia nonfarm payroll employment has increased in 6 of the past 12 months.

• Nationally, nonfarm payrolls rose by 73,000 in July, or 0 percent. District of Columbia ranks 51st in the nation for percentage gain in nonfarm payroll employment over the past 12 months.

• District of Columbia added 300 private sector jobs, or 0.1 percent, on a seasonally adjusted basis during July. In the prior month, District of Columbia lost 1,600 jobs. District of Columbia 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. District of Columbia is tied for 45th 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 Leisure and Hospitality (+1,600) and Private Education and Health Services (+200).
• The worst performing sectors were Federal Government (-1,600) and Professional and Business Services (-1,600).

From July 2024 to July 2025:

• The best performing sectors were Leisure and Hospitality (+4,700) and Other Services (+1,500).
• The worst performing sectors were Federal Government (-6,300) and Professional and Business Services (-4,100).

District of Columbia

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 District of Columbia fell to 71.9 percent in July from 72.1 percent in the prior month.

• District of Columbia ranks 1st in the nation.

• The 10-year high for the labor force participation rate in District of Columbia was 72.9 percent occurring in February 2024, and the 10-year low was 68 percent in May 2020.

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