May 2026
Released June 23, 2026
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United States
Employment snapshot
In May, among the 50 states and the District of Columbia unemployment fell in 20, rose in 9, and remained unchanged in 22.
The highest unemployment rate was 6.1 percent in District of Columbia, and the lowest was 2.1 percent in South Dakota. Nationally, the unemployment rate remained unchanged in May.
In May, payroll jobs rose in 38 states and fell in 13. The largest payroll job percent increase was 1.4 percent in West Virginia. The largest payroll job percent decline was 0.5 percent in Montana.
Indiana
Employment snapshot
In May, Indiana added 3,600 net payroll jobs and the unemployment rate remained unchanged at 3.3 percent. In the prior month, Indiana lost 2,400 net payroll jobs.
Over the past 12 months, Indiana lost 10,600 net payroll jobs and the unemployment rate fell by 0.4 percentage points from 3.7 percent.
Nationally, nonfarm payrolls rose by 172,000 in May, or 0.1 percent. Indiana ranks 40th in the nation for percentage gain in nonfarm payroll employment over the past 12 months.
In May, Indiana’s private sector added 3,800 net private payroll jobs, and over the past 12 months it added 3,100 private payroll jobs. In the prior month, Indiana lost 2,700 net private payroll jobs.
In May, employment in Indiana rose by 2,204, and over the past 12 months it fell by 2,906.
Indiana’s labor force participation rate remained steady at 63.2 percent in May and ranks 21st in the nation. In the past 12 months, the labor force participation rate has fallen by 0.7 percentage points.
Indiana
Payroll employment
Indiana added 3,600 net payroll jobs, or 0.1 percent, on a seasonally adjusted basis during May. In the prior month, Indiana lost 2,400 jobs. Indiana nonfarm payroll employment has increased in 6 of the past 12 months.
Nationally, nonfarm payrolls rose by 172,000 in May, or 0.1 percent. Indiana ranks 40th in the nation for percentage gain in nonfarm payroll employment over the past 12 months.
Indiana added 3,800 private sector jobs, or 0.1 percent, on a seasonally adjusted basis during May. In the prior month, Indiana lost 2,700 jobs. Indiana private sector payroll employment has increased in 5 of the past 12 months.
Nationally, private sector payroll jobs rose by 120,000 jobs in May, or 0.1 percent. Indiana is tied for 30th in the nation for percentage gain in private sector payroll employment over the past 12 months.
From April 2026 to May 2026:
- The best performing sectors were Construction (+1,800) and Leisure and Hospitality (+1,700).
- The worst performing sectors were Financial Activities (-1,300) and Private Education and Health Services (-500).
From May 2025 to May 2026:
- The best performing sectors were Professional and Business Services (+6,300) and Private Education and Health Services (+5,300).
- The worst performing sectors were State and Local Government (-11,100) and Leisure and Hospitality (-8,700).
Indiana
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 Indiana remained unchanged at 63.2 percent in May.
Indiana ranks 21st in the nation.
The 10-year high for the labor force participation rate in Indiana was 65.2 percent in June 2018, and the 10-year low was 60.9 percent in April 2020.
The national labor force participation rate remained steady at 61.8 percent in May.