August 2025
Released September 19, 2025
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United States
Employment snapshot
In August, among the 50 states and the District of Columbia unemployment fell in 13, rose in 12, and remained unchanged in 26.
The highest unemployment rate was 6 percent in District of Columbia, and the lowest was 1.9 percent in South Dakota. Nationally, the unemployment rate rose by 0.1 percentage point to 4.3 percent.
In August, payroll jobs rose in 32 states and fell in 18. The largest payroll job percent increase was 0.5 percent in Utah. The largest payroll job percent decline was 0.7 percent in District of Columbia.
Nebraska
Employment snapshot
In August, Nebraska added 1,100 net payroll jobs and the unemployment rate remained unchanged at 3 percent. In the prior month, Nebraska lost 3,700 net payroll jobs.
Over the past 12 months, Nebraska added 6,600 net payroll jobs and the unemployment rate rose by 0.1 percentage point from 2.9 percent.
Nationally, nonfarm payrolls rose by 22,000 in August, or 0 percent. Nebraska is tied for 33rd in the nation for percentage gain in nonfarm payroll employment over the past 12 months.
In August, Nebraska’s private sector added 1,500 net private payroll jobs, and over the past 12 months it added 3,500 private payroll jobs. In the prior month, Nebraska lost 2,700 net private payroll jobs.
In August, employment in Nebraska rose by 2,386, and over the past 12 months it rose by 15,541.
Nebraska’s labor force participation rate rose to 69.5 percent in August from 69.4 percent and ranks 2nd in the nation. In the past 12 months, the labor force participation rate has risen by 0.5 percentage points.
Nebraska
Payroll employment
Nebraska added 1,100 net payroll jobs, or 0.1 percent, on a seasonally adjusted basis during August. In the prior month, Nebraska lost 3,700 jobs. Nebraska nonfarm payroll employment has increased in 8 of the past 12 months.
Nationally, nonfarm payrolls rose by 22,000 in August, or 0 percent. Nebraska is tied for 33rd in the nation for percentage gain in nonfarm payroll employment over the past 12 months.
Nebraska added 1,500 private sector jobs, or 0.2 percent, on a seasonally adjusted basis during August. In the prior month, Nebraska lost 2,700 jobs. Nebraska private sector payroll employment has increased in 8 of the past 12 months.
Nationally, private sector payroll jobs rose by 38,000 jobs in August, or 0 percent. Nebraska is tied for 38th in the nation for percentage gain in private sector payroll employment over the past 12 months.
From July 2025 to August 2025:
- The best performing sectors were Private Education and Health Services (+700) and Professional and Business Services (+400).
- The worst performing sectors were Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (-300) and State and Local Government (-300).
From August 2024 to August 2025:
- The best performing sectors were Private Education and Health Services (+8,500) and State and Local Government (+3,300).
- The worst performing sectors were Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (-3,600) and Professional and Business Services (-3,100).
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 rose to 69.5 percent in August from 69.4 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 December 2019, and the 10-year low was 68.8 percent occurring in March 2024.
The national labor force participation rate rose by 0.1 percentage points to 62.3 percent in August.