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.
Minnesota
Employment snapshot
In July, Minnesota lost 1,900 net payroll jobs and the unemployment rate fell by 0.1 percentage point to 4.3 percent. In the prior month, Minnesota added 9,800 net payroll jobs.
Over the past 12 months, Minnesota added 41,900 net payroll jobs and the unemployment rate rose by 0.5 percentage points from 3.8 percent.
Nationally, nonfarm payrolls fell by 23,000 in July, or 0 percent. Minnesota ranks 1st in the nation for percentage gain in nonfarm payroll employment over the past 12 months.
In July, Minnesota’s private sector lost 800 net private payroll jobs, and over the past 12 months it added 38,000 private payroll jobs. In the prior month, Minnesota added 12,000 net private payroll jobs.
In July, employment in Minnesota fell by 3,179, and over the past 12 months it fell by 60,386.
Minnesota’s labor force participation rate fell to 66.9 percent in July from 67 percent and ranks 5th in the nation. In the past 12 months, the labor force participation rate has fallen by 1.4 percentage points.
Minnesota
Payroll employment
Minnesota lost 1,900 net payroll jobs, or -0.1 percent, on a seasonally adjusted basis during July. In the prior month, Minnesota added 9,800 jobs. Minnesota nonfarm payroll employment has increased in 9 of the past 12 months.
Nationally, nonfarm payrolls fell by 23,000 in July, or 0 percent. Minnesota ranks 1st in the nation for percentage gain in nonfarm payroll employment over the past 12 months.
Minnesota lost 800 private sector jobs, or 0 percent, on a seasonally adjusted basis during July. In the prior month, Minnesota added 12,000 jobs. Minnesota private sector payroll employment has increased in 6 of the past 12 months.
Nationally, private sector payroll jobs rose by 30,000 jobs in July, or 0 percent. Minnesota ranks 3rd 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 Professional and Business Services (+2,400) and Other Services (+900).
- The worst performing sectors were State and Local Government (-1,200) and Financial Activities (-1,100).
From July 2025 to July 2026:
- The best performing sectors were Private Education and Health Services (+19,100) and Manufacturing (+8,200).
- The worst performing sectors were Financial Activities (-6,000) and Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (-1,500).
Minnesota
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 Minnesota fell to 66.9 percent in July from 67 percent in the prior month.
Minnesota ranks 5th in the nation.
The 10-year high for the labor force participation rate in Minnesota was 70.9 percent in July 2020, and the 10-year low was 66.9 percent in July 2026.
The national labor force participation rate fell by 0.1 percentage points to 61.4 percent in July.