May 2026 | Released June 23, 2026
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United States
Employment snapshot
In May, among the 50 states and the District of Columbia unemployment fell in 20, rose in 9, and remained unchanged in 22.
The highest unemployment rate was 6.1 percent in District of Columbia, and the lowest was 2.1 percent in South Dakota. Nationally, the unemployment rate remained unchanged in May.
In May, payroll jobs rose in 38 states and fell in 13. The largest payroll job percent increase was 1.4 percent in West Virginia. The largest payroll job percent decline was 0.5 percent in Montana.
Nebraska
Employment snapshot
In May, Nebraska added 100 net payroll jobs and the unemployment rate remained unchanged at 3 percent. In the prior month, Nebraska added 3,400 net payroll jobs.
Over the past 12 months, Nebraska lost 4,800 net payroll jobs and the unemployment rate rose by 0.1 percentage point from 2.9 percent.
Nationally, nonfarm payrolls rose by 172,000 in May, or 0.1 percent. Nebraska is tied for 43rd in the nation for percentage gain in nonfarm payroll employment over the past 12 months.
In May, Nebraska’s private sector added 100 net private payroll jobs, and over the past 12 months it lost 4,000 private payroll jobs. In the prior month, Nebraska added 2,900 net private payroll jobs.
In May, employment in Nebraska fell by 631, and over the past 12 months it rose by 3,432.
Nebraska’s labor force participation rate fell to 69.8 percent in May from 69.9 percent and is tied for 2nd in the nation. In the past 12 months, the labor force participation rate has fallen by 0.2 percentage points.
Nebraska
Payroll employment
Nebraska added 100 net payroll jobs, or 0 percent, on a seasonally adjusted basis during May. In the prior month, Nebraska added 3,400 jobs. Nebraska nonfarm payroll employment has increased in 5 of the past 12 months.
Nationally, nonfarm payrolls rose by 172,000 in May, or 0.1 percent. Nebraska is tied for 43rd in the nation for percentage gain in nonfarm payroll employment over the past 12 months.
Nebraska added 100 private sector jobs, or 0 percent, on a seasonally adjusted basis during May. In the prior month, Nebraska added 2,900 jobs. Nebraska private sector payroll employment has increased in 5 of the past 12 months.
Nationally, private sector payroll jobs rose by 120,000 jobs in May, or 0.1 percent. Nebraska is tied for 40th in the nation for percentage gain in private sector payroll employment over the past 12 months.
From April 2026 to May 2026:
- The best performing sectors were Leisure and Hospitality (+700) and Construction (+500).
- The worst performing sectors were Private Education and Health Services (-800) and Financial Activities (-400).
From May 2025 to May 2026:
- The best performing sectors were Construction (+3,600) and Private Education and Health Services (+2,900).
- The worst performing sectors were Manufacturing (-4,700) and Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (-2,800).
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 69.8 percent in May from 69.9 percent in the prior month.
Nebraska is tied for 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 remained steady at 61.8 percent in May.