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.
South Dakota
Employment snapshot
In November, South Dakota lost 1,300 net payroll jobs. In the prior month, South Dakota added 1,500 net payroll jobs.
Over the past 12 months, South Dakota added 3,400 net payroll jobs and the unemployment rate rose by 0.2 percentage points from 1.9 percent.
Nationally, nonfarm payrolls rose by 64,000 in November. South Dakota is tied for 20th in the nation for percentage gain in nonfarm payroll employment over the past 12 months.
In November, South Dakota’s private sector lost 900 net private payroll jobs, and over the past 12 months it added 3,600 private payroll jobs. In the prior month, South Dakota added 1,800 net private payroll jobs.
South Dakota
Payroll employment
South Dakota lost 1,300 net payroll jobs, or -0.3 percent, on a seasonally adjusted basis during November. In the prior month, South Dakota added 1,500 jobs. South Dakota nonfarm payroll employment has increased in 7 of the past 12 months.
Nationally, nonfarm payrolls rose by 64,000 in November, or 0 percent. South Dakota is tied for 20th in the nation for percentage gain in nonfarm payroll employment over the past 12 months.
South Dakota lost 900 private sector jobs, or -0.2 percent, on a seasonally adjusted basis during November. In the prior month, South Dakota added 1,800 jobs. South Dakota private sector payroll employment has increased in 8 of the past 12 months.
Nationally, private sector payroll jobs rose by 69,000 jobs in November, or 0.1 percent. South Dakota is tied for 18th 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 Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (+200) and Private Education and Health Services (+100).
- The worst performing sectors were Construction (-600) and State and Local Government (-200).
From November 2024 to November 2025:
- The best performing sectors were Professional and Business Services (+1,500) and Construction (+1,200).
- The worst performing sectors were Federal Government (-800) and Manufacturing (-700).
South 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.
- South Dakota ranks 4th in the nation.