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.

South Dakota

Employment snapshot

• In July, South Dakota lost 100 net payroll jobs and the unemployment rate remained unchanged at 2 percent. In the prior month, South Dakota remained unchanged with 0 net payroll jobs.

• Over the past 12 months, South Dakota added 1,800 net payroll jobs and the unemployment rate remained unchanged.

• Nationally, nonfarm payrolls fell by 23,000 in July, or 0 percent. South Dakota is tied for 21st in the nation for percentage gain in nonfarm payroll employment over the past 12 months.

• In July, South Dakota’s private sector remained unchanged with 0 net private payroll jobs, and over the past 12 months it added 2,900 private payroll jobs. In the prior month, South Dakota added 200 net private payroll jobs.

• In July, employment in South Dakota fell by 1,315, and over the past 12 months it fell by 5,045.

• South Dakota’s labor force participation rate fell to 66.8 percent in July from 67 percent and ranks 6th in the nation. In the past 12 months, the labor force participation rate has fallen by 1.4 percentage points.

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South Dakota

Payroll employment

• South Dakota lost 100 net payroll jobs, or 0 percent, on a seasonally adjusted basis during July. In the prior month, South Dakota remained unchanged with 0 jobs. South Dakota nonfarm payroll employment has increased in 4 of the past 12 months.

• Nationally, nonfarm payrolls fell by 23,000 in July, or 0 percent. South Dakota is tied for 21st in the nation for percentage gain in nonfarm payroll employment over the past 12 months.

• South Dakota remained unchanged with 0 private sector jobs, or 0 percent, on a seasonally adjusted basis during July. In the prior month, South Dakota added 200 jobs. South Dakota private sector payroll employment has increased in 6 of the past 12 months.

• Nationally, private sector payroll jobs rose by 30,000 jobs in July, or 0 percent. South Dakota is tied for 16th 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 Professional and Business Services (+600) and Leisure and Hospitality (+200).
• The worst performing sectors were Private Education and Health Services (-600) and Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (-200).

From July 2025 to July 2026:

• The best performing sectors were Leisure and Hospitality (+3,600) and Construction (+800).
• The worst performing sectors were Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (-1,200) and Federal Government (-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.

• The labor force participation rate in South Dakota fell to 66.8 percent in July from 67 percent in the prior month.

• South Dakota ranks 6th in the nation.

• The 10-year high for the labor force participation rate in South Dakota was 69.6 percent occurring in July 2016, and the 10-year low was 66.8 percent in July 2026.

• The national labor force participation rate fell by 0.1 percentage points to 61.4 percent in July.