September 2025 | Released December 11, 2025
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United States
Employment snapshot
In September, among the 50 states and the District of Columbia unemployment fell in 10, rose in 21, and remained unchanged in 20.
The highest unemployment rate was 6.2 percent in District of Columbia, and the lowest was 2 percent in South Dakota. Nationally, the unemployment rate rose by 0.1 percentage point to 4.4 percent.
In September, payroll jobs rose in 30 states and fell in 20. The largest payroll job percent increase was 0.6 percent in Missouri. The largest payroll job percent decline was 0.3 percent in Alaska, Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.
Nebraska
Employment snapshot
In September, Nebraska lost 2,000 net payroll jobs and the unemployment rate remained unchanged at 3 percent. In the prior month, Nebraska added 500 net payroll jobs.
Over the past 12 months, Nebraska added 2,400 net payroll jobs and the unemployment rate rose by 0.1 percentage point from 2.9 percent.
Nationally, nonfarm payrolls rose by 119,000 in September, or 0.1 percent. Nebraska is tied for 42nd in the nation for percentage gain in nonfarm payroll employment over the past 12 months.
In September, Nebraska’s private sector lost 2,300 net private payroll jobs, and over the past 12 months it added 100 private payroll jobs. In the prior month, Nebraska added 700 net private payroll jobs.
In September, employment in Nebraska rose by 2,105, and over the past 12 months it rose by 17,046.
Nebraska’s labor force participation rate rose to 69.6 percent in September from 69.5 percent and ranks 2nd in the nation. In the past 12 months, the labor force participation rate has risen by 0.6 percentage points.
Nebraska
Payroll employment
Nebraska lost 2,000 net payroll jobs, or -0.2 percent, on a seasonally adjusted basis during September. In the prior month, Nebraska added 500 jobs. Nebraska nonfarm payroll employment has increased in 7 of the past 12 months.
Nationally, nonfarm payrolls rose by 119,000 in September, or 0.1 percent. Nebraska is tied for 42nd in the nation for percentage gain in nonfarm payroll employment over the past 12 months.
Nebraska lost 2,300 private sector jobs, or -0.3 percent, on a seasonally adjusted basis during September. In the prior month, Nebraska added 700 jobs. Nebraska private sector payroll employment has increased in 7 of the past 12 months.
Nationally, private sector payroll jobs rose by 97,000 jobs in September, or 0.1 percent. Nebraska is tied for 45th in the nation for percentage gain in private sector payroll employment over the past 12 months.
From August 2025 to September 2025:
- The best performing sectors were Financial Activities (+400) and State and Local Government (+300).
- The worst performing sectors were Leisure and Hospitality (-1,100) and Professional and Business Services (-600).
From September 2024 to September 2025:
- The best performing sectors were Private Education and Health Services (+7,800) and State and Local Government (+2,500).
- The worst performing sectors were Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (-3,700) and Professional and Business Services (-3,500).
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 69.6 percent in September from 69.5 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 62.4 percent in September.