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.
Pennsylvania
Employment snapshot
In July, Pennsylvania lost 7,600 net payroll jobs and the unemployment rate fell by 0.2 percentage point to 3.9 percent. In the prior month, Pennsylvania added 100 net payroll jobs.
Over the past 12 months, Pennsylvania added 31,900 net payroll jobs and the unemployment rate fell by 0.5 percentage points from 4.4 percent.
Nationally, nonfarm payrolls fell by 23,000 in July, or 0 percent. Pennsylvania is tied for 16th in the nation for percentage gain in nonfarm payroll employment over the past 12 months.
In July, Pennsylvania’s private sector lost 3,800 net private payroll jobs, and over the past 12 months it added 34,700 private payroll jobs. In the prior month, Pennsylvania added 300 net private payroll jobs.
In July, employment in Pennsylvania rose by 18,277, and over the past 12 months it rose by 146,897.
Pennsylvania’s labor force participation rate rose to 62.5 percent in July from 62.4 percent and ranks 22nd in the nation. In the past 12 months, the labor force participation rate has risen by 1.1 percentage points.
Pennsylvania
Payroll employment
Pennsylvania lost 7,600 net payroll jobs, or -0.1 percent, on a seasonally adjusted basis during July. In the prior month, Pennsylvania added 100 jobs. Pennsylvania nonfarm payroll employment has increased in 8 of the past 12 months.
Nationally, nonfarm payrolls fell by 23,000 in July, or 0 percent. Pennsylvania is tied for 16th in the nation for percentage gain in nonfarm payroll employment over the past 12 months.
Pennsylvania lost 3,800 private sector jobs, or -0.1 percent, on a seasonally adjusted basis during July. In the prior month, Pennsylvania added 300 jobs. Pennsylvania private sector payroll employment has increased in 8 of the past 12 months.
Nationally, private sector payroll jobs rose by 30,000 jobs in July, or 0 percent. Pennsylvania is tied for 23rd 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 Leisure and Hospitality (+4,000) and Financial Activities (+1,800).
- The worst performing sectors were Private Education and Health Services (-4,000) and State and Local Government (-3,600).
From July 2025 to July 2026:
- The best performing sectors were Private Education and Health Services (+25,100) and Leisure and Hospitality (+15,000).
- The worst performing sectors were Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (-8,500) and Federal Government (-6,900).
Pennsylvania
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 Pennsylvania rose to 62.5 percent in July from 62.4 percent in the prior month.
Pennsylvania ranks 22nd in the nation.
The 10-year high for the labor force participation rate in Pennsylvania was 63.2 percent occurring in July 2016, and the 10-year low was 60.8 percent in April 2020.
The national labor force participation rate fell by 0.1 percentage points to 61.4 percent in July.