November 2025 | Released January 08, 2026

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United States

Employment snapshot

• The highest unemployment rate was 6.5 percent in District of Columbia, and the lowest was 2.1 percent in South Dakota.

• In November, payroll jobs rose in 35 states and fell in 15. The largest payroll job percent increase was 0.3 percent in Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, and Mississippi. The largest payroll job percent decline was 0.4 percent in New Hampshire.

North Dakota

Employment snapshot

• In November, North Dakota added 500 net payroll jobs. In the prior month, North Dakota added 400 net payroll jobs.

• Over the past 12 months, North Dakota added 1,800 net payroll jobs and the unemployment rate rose by 0.1 percentage point from 2.5 percent.

• Nationally, nonfarm payrolls rose by 64,000 in November. North Dakota ranks 31st in the nation for percentage gain in nonfarm payroll employment over the past 12 months.

• In November, North Dakota’s private sector added 300 net private payroll jobs, and over the past 12 months it added 900 private payroll jobs. In the prior month, North Dakota added 500 net private payroll jobs.

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North Dakota

Payroll employment

• North Dakota added 500 net payroll jobs, or 0.1 percent, on a seasonally adjusted basis during November. In the prior month, North Dakota added 400 jobs. North Dakota nonfarm payroll employment has increased in 7 of the past 12 months.

• Nationally, nonfarm payrolls rose by 64,000 in November. North Dakota ranks 31st in the nation for percentage gain in nonfarm payroll employment over the past 12 months.

• North Dakota added 300 private sector jobs, or 0.1 percent, on a seasonally adjusted basis during November. In the prior month, North Dakota added 500 jobs. North Dakota private sector payroll employment has increased in 6 of the past 12 months.

• Nationally, private sector payroll jobs rose by 69,000 jobs in November, or 0.1 percent. North Dakota is tied for 39th in the nation for percentage gain in private sector payroll employment over the past 12 months.

From October 2025 to November 2025:

• The best performing sectors were Construction (+600) and State and Local Government (+200).
• The worst performing sectors were Other Services (-100) and Manufacturing (-100).

From November 2024 to November 2025:

• The best performing sectors were State and Local Government (+1,400) and Private Education and Health Services (+1,200).
• The worst performing sectors were Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (-1,200) and Other Services (-800).

North Dakota

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.

• North Dakota ranks 3rd in the nation.