August 2026 | Released September 18, 2026
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United States
Employment snapshot
In August, among the 50 states and the District of Columbia unemployment fell in 28, rose in 4, and remained unchanged in 19.
The highest unemployment rate was 5.7 percent in District of Columbia, and the lowest was 2 percent in South Dakota. Nationally, the unemployment rate remained unchanged in August.
In August, payroll jobs rose in 35 states and fell in 16. The largest payroll job percent increase was 0.6 percent in New Mexico. The largest payroll job percent decline was 0.3 percent in Maryland.
Vermont
Employment snapshot
In August, Vermont lost 400 net payroll jobs and the unemployment rate remained unchanged at 2.6 percent. In the prior month, Vermont added 400 net payroll jobs.
Over the past 12 months, Vermont lost 1,100 net payroll jobs and the unemployment rate remained unchanged.
Nationally, nonfarm payrolls rose by 162,000 in August, or 0.1 percent. Vermont ranks 46th in the nation for percentage gain in nonfarm payroll employment over the past 12 months.
In August, Vermont’s private sector added 600 net private payroll jobs, and over the past 12 months it lost 900 private payroll jobs. In the prior month, Vermont lost 400 net private payroll jobs.
In August, employment in Vermont fell by 113, and over the past 12 months it fell by 9,751.
Vermont’s labor force participation rate remained steady at 62.1 percent in August and is tied for 24th in the nation. In the past 12 months, the labor force participation rate has fallen by 1.8 percentage points.
Vermont
Payroll employment
Vermont lost 400 net payroll jobs, or -0.1 percent, on a seasonally adjusted basis during August. In the prior month, Vermont added 400 jobs. Vermont nonfarm payroll employment has increased in 4 of the past 12 months.
Nationally, nonfarm payrolls rose by 162,000 in August, or 0.1 percent. Vermont ranks 46th in the nation for percentage gain in nonfarm payroll employment over the past 12 months.
Vermont added 600 private sector jobs, or 0.2 percent, on a seasonally adjusted basis during August. In the prior month, Vermont lost 400 jobs. Vermont private sector payroll employment has increased in 3 of the past 12 months.
Nationally, private sector payroll jobs rose by 127,000 jobs in August, or 0.1 percent. Vermont ranks 47th in the nation for percentage gain in private sector payroll employment over the past 12 months.
From July 2026 to August 2026:
- The best performing sectors were Leisure and Hospitality (+400) and Professional and Business Services (+100).
- The worst performing sectors were State and Local Government (-1,000) and Information (-100).
From August 2025 to August 2026:
- The best performing sectors were Manufacturing (+400) and Leisure and Hospitality (+300).
- The worst performing sectors were Professional and Business Services (-1,100) and Financial Activities (-300).
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 remained unchanged at 62.1 percent in August.
Vermont is tied for 24th 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 rose by 0.2 percentage points to 61.6 percent in August.