July 2026 | Released August 21, 2026

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United States

Employment snapshot

• In July, among the 50 states and the District of Columbia unemployment fell in 29, rose in 4, and remained unchanged in 18.

• The highest unemployment rate was 5.9 percent in District of Columbia, and the lowest was 2 percent in South Dakota. Nationally, the unemployment rate fell by 0.1 percentage point to 4.1 percent.

• In July, payroll jobs rose in 27 states and fell in 24. The largest payroll job percent increase was 0.4 percent in Maryland. The largest payroll job percent decline was 0.6 percent in New Jersey.

Hawaii

Employment snapshot

• In July, Hawaii lost 500 net payroll jobs and the unemployment rate rose by 0.1 percentage point to 2.7 percent. In the prior month, Hawaii lost 2,500 net payroll jobs.

• Over the past 12 months, Hawaii added 1,200 net payroll jobs and the unemployment rate rose by 0.5 percentage points from 2.2 percent.

• Nationally, nonfarm payrolls fell by 23,000 in July, or 0 percent. Hawaii is tied for 29th in the nation for percentage gain in nonfarm payroll employment over the past 12 months.

• In July, Hawaii’s private sector lost 1,100 net private payroll jobs, and over the past 12 months it added 2,200 private payroll jobs. In the prior month, Hawaii lost 2,100 net private payroll jobs.

• In July, employment in Hawaii rose by 2, and over the past 12 months it rose by 676.

• Hawaii’s labor force participation rate rose to 61 percent in July from 60.9 percent and ranks 34th in the nation. In the past 12 months, the labor force participation rate has risen by 0.5 percentage points.

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Hawaii

Payroll employment

• Hawaii lost 500 net payroll jobs, or -0.1 percent, on a seasonally adjusted basis during July. In the prior month, Hawaii lost 2,500 jobs. Hawaii nonfarm payroll employment has increased in 7 of the past 12 months.

• Nationally, nonfarm payrolls fell by 23,000 in July, or 0 percent. Hawaii is tied for 29th in the nation for percentage gain in nonfarm payroll employment over the past 12 months.

• Hawaii lost 1,100 private sector jobs, or -0.2 percent, on a seasonally adjusted basis during July. In the prior month, Hawaii lost 2,100 jobs. Hawaii private sector payroll employment has increased in 7 of the past 12 months.

• Nationally, private sector payroll jobs rose by 30,000 jobs in July, or 0 percent. Hawaii is tied for 28th in the nation for percentage gain in private sector payroll employment over the past 12 months.

From June 2026 to July 2026:

• The best performing sectors were State and Local Government (+700) and Leisure and Hospitality (+300).
• The worst performing sectors were Professional and Business Services (-400) and Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (-400).

From July 2025 to July 2026:

• The best performing sectors were Private Education and Health Services (+2,600) and Leisure and Hospitality (+2,200).
• The worst performing sectors were Federal Government (-2,800) and Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (-1,500).

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 61 percent in July from 60.9 percent in the prior month.

• Hawaii ranks 34th 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 0.1 percentage points to 61.4 percent in July.