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.

Vermont

Employment snapshot

• In July, Vermont added 300 net payroll jobs and the unemployment rate remained unchanged at 2.6 percent. In the prior month, Vermont added 300 net payroll jobs.

• Over the past 12 months, Vermont added 1,200 net payroll jobs and the unemployment rate remained unchanged.

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

• In July, Vermont’s private sector lost 400 net private payroll jobs, and over the past 12 months it lost 900 private payroll jobs. In the prior month, Vermont lost 200 net private payroll jobs.

• In July, employment in Vermont fell by 652, and over the past 12 months it fell by 10,256.

• Vermont’s labor force participation rate fell to 62.1 percent in July from 62.3 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.

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Vermont

Payroll employment

• Vermont added 300 net payroll jobs, or 0.1 percent, on a seasonally adjusted basis during July. In the prior month, Vermont added 300 jobs. Vermont nonfarm payroll employment has increased in 5 of the past 12 months.

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

• Vermont lost 400 private sector jobs, or -0.2 percent, on a seasonally adjusted basis during July. In the prior month, Vermont lost 200 jobs. Vermont private sector payroll employment has increased in 3 of the past 12 months.

• Nationally, private sector payroll jobs rose by 30,000 jobs in July, or 0 percent. Vermont ranks 46th 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 State and Local Government (+700) and Private Education and Health Services (+200).
• The worst performing sectors were Professional and Business Services (-400) and Construction (-200).

From July 2025 to July 2026:

• The best performing sectors were State and Local Government (+2,300) and Private Education and Health Services (+600).
• The worst performing sectors were Professional and Business Services (-1,200) and Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (-500).

Vermont

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 Vermont fell to 62.1 percent in July from 62.3 percent in the prior month.

• Vermont is tied for 25th in the nation.

• The 10-year high for the labor force participation rate in Vermont was 67.3 percent occurring in February 2017, and the 10-year low was 61.6 percent in January 2021.

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