May 2025 | Released June 24, 2025

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United States Employment Snapshot

• In May, among the 50 states and the District of Columbia unemployment fell in 13, rose in 14, and remained unchanged in 24.

• The highest unemployment rate was 5.9 percent in District of Columbia, and the lowest was 1.8 percent in South Dakota. Nationally, the unemployment rate remained unchanged in May.

• In May, payroll jobs rose in 37 states and fell in 11. The largest payroll job percent increase was 0.4 percent in Montana. The largest payroll job percent decline was 0.4 percent in Connecticut.

Hawaii Employment Snapshot

• In May, Hawaii added 700 net payroll jobs and the unemployment rate fell by 0.1 percentage point to 2.8 percent. In the prior month, Hawaii added 900 net payroll jobs.

• Over the past 12 months, Hawaii added 13,900 net payroll jobs and the unemployment rate fell by 0.1 percentage point from 2.9 percent.

• Nationally, nonfarm payrolls rose by 139,000 in May, or 0.1 percent. Hawaii ranks 4th in the nation for percentage gain in nonfarm payroll employment over the past 12 months.

• In May, Hawaii’s private sector added 400 net private payroll jobs, and over the past 12 months it added 13,100 private payroll jobs. In the prior month, Hawaii added 3,500 net private payroll jobs.

• In May, employment in Hawaii rose by 679, and over the past 12 months it rose by 9,612.

• Hawaii’s labor force participation rate rose to 60.6 percent in May from 60.5 percent and ranks 38th in the nation. In the past 12 months, the labor force participation rate has risen by 0.7 percentage points.

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Hawaii Payroll Employment

• Hawaii added 700 net payroll jobs, or 0.1 percent, on a seasonally adjusted basis during May. In the prior month, Hawaii added 900 jobs. Hawaii nonfarm payroll employment has increased in 10 of the past 12 months.

• Nationally, nonfarm payrolls rose by 139,000 in May, or 0.1 percent. Hawaii ranks 4th in the nation for percentage gain in nonfarm payroll employment over the past 12 months.

• Hawaii added 400 private sector jobs, or 0.1 percent. on a seasonally adjusted basis during May. In the prior month, Hawaii added 3,500 jobs. Hawaii private sector payroll employment has increased in 9 of the past 12 months.

• Nationally, private sector payroll jobs rose by 140,000 jobs in May, or 0.1 percent. Hawaii ranks 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 May were Leisure and Hospitality (1,000) and Education and Health Services (400).

• The poorest performing sectors during the month were Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (-600) and Professional and Business Services (-700).

• The best performing sectors during the last 12 months were Leisure and Hospitality (6,500) and Education and Health Services (4,300).

• The poorest performing sectors during the last 12 months were Information (-600) and Professional and Business Services (-1,100).

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 60.6 percent in May from 60.5 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 fell by 0.2 percentage points to 62.4 percent in May.