June 2026
Released July 21, 2026
Download the full PDF for Rhode Island
Download the summary PDF for Rhode Island
United States
Employment snapshot
In June, among the 50 states and the District of Columbia unemployment fell in 30, rose in 7, and remained unchanged in 14.
The highest unemployment rate was 6 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 4.2 percent.
In June, payroll jobs rose in 34 states and fell in 17. The largest payroll job percent increase was 0.6 percent in Alaska and New Hampshire. The largest payroll job percent decline was 1.2 percent in West Virginia.
Rhode Island
Employment snapshot
In June, Rhode Island added 300 net payroll jobs and the unemployment rate fell by 0.2 percentage point to 4.1 percent. In the prior month, Rhode Island lost 200 net payroll jobs.
Over the past 12 months, Rhode Island lost 1,900 net payroll jobs and the unemployment rate fell by 0.2 percentage points from 4.3 percent.
Nationally, nonfarm payrolls rose by 57,000 in June, or 0 percent. Rhode Island ranks 45th in the nation for percentage gain in nonfarm payroll employment over the past 12 months.
In June, Rhode Island’s private sector added 200 net private payroll jobs, and over the past 12 months it lost 700 private payroll jobs. In the prior month, Rhode Island remained unchanged with 0 net private payroll jobs.
In June, employment in Rhode Island fell by 985, and over the past 12 months it fell by 13,737.
Rhode Island’s labor force participation rate fell to 62.3 percent in June from 62.6 percent and is tied for 25th in the nation. In the past 12 months, the labor force participation rate has fallen by 1.9 percentage points.
Rhode Island
Payroll employment
Rhode Island added 300 net payroll jobs, or 0.1 percent, on a seasonally adjusted basis during June. In the prior month, Rhode Island lost 200 jobs. Rhode Island nonfarm payroll employment has increased in 4 of the past 12 months.
Nationally, nonfarm payrolls rose by 57,000 in June, or 0 percent. Rhode Island ranks 45th in the nation for percentage gain in nonfarm payroll employment over the past 12 months.
Rhode Island added 200 private sector jobs, or 0 percent, on a seasonally adjusted basis during June. In the prior month, Rhode Island remained unchanged with 0 jobs. Rhode Island private sector payroll employment has increased in 5 of the past 12 months.
Nationally, private sector payroll jobs rose by 49,000 jobs in June, or 0 percent. Rhode Island is tied for 40th in the nation for percentage gain in private sector payroll employment over the past 12 months.
From May 2026 to June 2026:
- The best performing sectors were Professional and Business Services (+500) and Other Services (+400).
- The worst performing sectors were Construction (-300) and Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (-100).
From June 2025 to June 2026:
- The best performing sectors were Private Education and Health Services (+2,000) and Manufacturing (+600).
- The worst performing sectors were Financial Activities (-1,200) and Leisure and Hospitality (-900).
Rhode Island
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 Rhode Island fell to 62.3 percent in June from 62.6 percent in the prior month.
Rhode Island is tied for 25th in the nation.
The 10-year high for the labor force participation rate in Rhode Island was 64.7 percent occurring in October 2019, and the 10-year low was 60.9 percent in April 2020.
The national labor force participation rate fell by 0.3 percentage points to 61.5 percent in June.