November 2025 | Released January 08, 2026
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United States
Employment snapshot
- The highest unemployment rate was 6.5 percent in District of Columbia, and the lowest was 2.1 percent in South Dakota.
- In November, payroll jobs rose in 35 states and fell in 15. The largest payroll job percent increase was 0.3 percent in Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, and Mississippi. The largest payroll job percent decline was 0.4 percent in New Hampshire.
Kentucky
Employment snapshot
In November, Kentucky lost 800 net payroll jobs. In the prior month, Kentucky lost 6,800 net payroll jobs.
Over the past 12 months, Kentucky added 10,500 net payroll jobs and the unemployment rate fell by 0.7 percentage points from 5.4 percent.
Nationally, nonfarm payrolls rose by 64,000 in November. Kentucky is tied for 29th in the nation for percentage gain in nonfarm payroll employment over the past 12 months.
In November, Kentucky’s private sector lost 600 net private payroll jobs, and over the past 12 months it added 10,300 private payroll jobs. In the prior month, Kentucky lost 5,400 net private payroll jobs.
Kentucky
Payroll employment
- Kentucky lost 800 net payroll jobs, or 0 percent, on a seasonally adjusted basis during November. In the prior month, Kentucky lost 6,800 jobs. Kentucky nonfarm payroll employment has increased in 7 of the past 12 months.
Nationally, nonfarm payrolls rose by 64,000 in November. Kentucky is tied for 29th in the nation for percentage gain in nonfarm payroll employment over the past 12 months.
Kentucky lost 600 private sector jobs, or 0 percent, on a seasonally adjusted basis during November. In the prior month, Kentucky lost 5,400 jobs. Kentucky private sector payroll employment has increased in 7 of the past 12 months.
Nationally, private sector payroll jobs rose by 69,000 jobs in November, or 0.1 percent. Kentucky is tied for 27th in the nation for percentage gain in private sector payroll employment over the past 12 months.
From October 2025 to November 2025:
- The best performing sectors were Manufacturing (+700) and Private Education and Health Services (+600).
- The worst performing sectors were Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (-2,900) and Financial Activities (-200).
From November 2024 to November 2025:
- The best performing sectors were Construction (+7,500) and State and Local Government (+3,000).
- The worst performing sectors were Federal Government (-2,800) and Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (-1,800).
Kentucky
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.
- Kentucky ranks 45th in the nation.