September 2026 | Released October 20, 2026
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United States
Employment snapshot
In September, among the 50 states and the District of Columbia unemployment fell in 18, rose in 9, and remained unchanged in 24.
The highest unemployment rate was 5.6 percent in District of Columbia, and the lowest was 2 percent in South Dakota. Nationally, the unemployment rate rose by 0.1 percentage point to 4.2 percent.
In September, payroll jobs rose in 24 states and fell in 25. The largest payroll job percent increase was 0.5 percent in South Carolina. The largest payroll job percent decline was 0.4 percent in Missouri and Wisconsin.
Indiana
Employment snapshot
In September, Indiana lost 10,300 net payroll jobs and the unemployment rate rose by 0.1 percentage point to 3.4 percent. In the prior month, Indiana added 11,400 net payroll jobs.
Over the past 12 months, Indiana lost 12,900 net payroll jobs and the unemployment rate fell by 0.3 percentage points from 3.7 percent.
Nationally, nonfarm payrolls rose by 29,000 in September, or 0 percent. Indiana ranks 47th in the nation for percentage gain in nonfarm payroll employment over the past 12 months.
In September, Indiana’s private sector added 3,200 net private payroll jobs, and over the past 12 months it added 11,500 private payroll jobs. In the prior month, Indiana added 5,000 net private payroll jobs.
In September, employment in Indiana fell by 972, and over the past 12 months it fell by 8,775.
Indiana’s labor force participation rate rose to 63.1 percent in September from 63 percent and ranks 18th in the nation. In the past 12 months, the labor force participation rate has fallen by 0.6 percentage points.
Indiana
Payroll employment
Indiana lost 10,300 net payroll jobs, or -0.3 percent, on a seasonally adjusted basis during September. In the prior month, Indiana added 11,400 jobs. Indiana nonfarm payroll employment has increased in 5 of the past 12 months.
Nationally, nonfarm payrolls rose by 29,000 in September, or 0 percent. Indiana ranks 47th in the nation for percentage gain in nonfarm payroll employment over the past 12 months.
Indiana added 3,200 private sector jobs, or 0.1 percent, on a seasonally adjusted basis during September. In the prior month, Indiana added 5,000 jobs. Indiana private sector payroll employment has increased in 6 of the past 12 months.
Nationally, private sector payroll jobs rose by 46,000 jobs in September, or 0 percent. Indiana is tied for 31st in the nation for percentage gain in private sector payroll employment over the past 12 months.
From August 2026 to September 2026:
- The best performing sectors were Private Education and Health Services (+3,700) and Manufacturing (+3,500).
- The worst performing sectors were State and Local Government (-13,300) and Financial Activities (-1,300).
From September 2025 to September 2026:
- The best performing sectors were Private Education and Health Services (+13,600) and Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (+4,700).
- The worst performing sectors were State and Local Government (-22,200) and Leisure and Hospitality (-12,600).
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 rose to 63.1 percent in September from 63 percent in the prior month.
Indiana ranks 18th 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 rose by 0.2 percentage points to 61.8 percent in September.