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.
Nebraska
Employment snapshot
In July, Nebraska lost 300 net payroll jobs and the unemployment rate remained unchanged at 2.9 percent. In the prior month, Nebraska added 300 net payroll jobs.
Over the past 12 months, Nebraska lost 1,700 net payroll jobs and the unemployment rate remained unchanged.
Nationally, nonfarm payrolls fell by 23,000 in July, or 0 percent. Nebraska is tied for 42nd in the nation for percentage gain in nonfarm payroll employment over the past 12 months.
In July, Nebraska’s private sector lost 200 net private payroll jobs, and over the past 12 months it lost 200 private payroll jobs. In the prior month, Nebraska added 1,000 net private payroll jobs.
In July, employment in Nebraska fell by 1,650, and over the past 12 months it fell by 3,106.
Nebraska’s labor force participation rate fell to 69.4 percent in July from 69.6 percent and ranks 2nd in the nation. In the past 12 months, the labor force participation rate has fallen by 0.7 percentage points.
Nebraska
Payroll employment
Nebraska lost 300 net payroll jobs, or 0 percent, on a seasonally adjusted basis during July. In the prior month, Nebraska added 300 jobs. Nebraska nonfarm payroll employment has increased in 6 of the past 12 months.
Nationally, nonfarm payrolls fell by 23,000 in July, or 0 percent. Nebraska is tied for 42nd in the nation for percentage gain in nonfarm payroll employment over the past 12 months.
Nebraska lost 200 private sector jobs, or 0 percent, on a seasonally adjusted basis during July. In the prior month, Nebraska added 1,000 jobs. Nebraska 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. Nebraska is tied for 36th 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 Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (+400) and Professional and Business Services (+200).
- The worst performing sectors were Manufacturing (-500) and Financial Activities (-400).
From July 2025 to July 2026:
- The best performing sectors were Construction (+3,500) and Private Education and Health Services (+3,200).
- The worst performing sectors were Manufacturing (-5,000) and Professional and Business Services (-1,800).
Nebraska
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 Nebraska fell to 69.4 percent in July from 69.6 percent in the prior month.
Nebraska ranks 2nd in the nation.
The 10-year high for the labor force participation rate in Nebraska was 70.5 percent occurring in September 2019, and the 10-year low was 69.1 percent occurring in November 2020.
The national labor force participation rate fell by 0.1 percentage points to 61.4 percent in July.