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.
Virginia
Employment snapshot
In July, Virginia lost 9,600 net payroll jobs and the unemployment rate fell by 0.1 percentage point to 3.7 percent. In the prior month, Virginia added 3,300 net payroll jobs.
Over the past 12 months, Virginia lost 47,900 net payroll jobs and the unemployment rate rose by 0.4 percentage points from 3.3 percent.
Nationally, nonfarm payrolls fell by 23,000 in July, or 0 percent. Virginia is tied for 49th in the nation for percentage gain in nonfarm payroll employment over the past 12 months.
In July, Virginia’s private sector lost 3,000 net private payroll jobs, and over the past 12 months it lost 37,700 private payroll jobs. In the prior month, Virginia remained unchanged with 0 net private payroll jobs.
In July, employment in Virginia fell by 5,435, and over the past 12 months it fell by 65,944.
Virginia’s labor force participation rate fell to 63 percent in July from 63.1 percent and ranks 20th in the nation. In the past 12 months, the labor force participation rate has fallen by 1.1 percentage points.
Virginia
Payroll employment
Virginia lost 9,600 net payroll jobs, or -0.2 percent, on a seasonally adjusted basis during July. In the prior month, Virginia added 3,300 jobs. Virginia nonfarm payroll employment has increased in 3 of the past 12 months.
Nationally, nonfarm payrolls fell by 23,000 in July, or 0 percent. Virginia is tied for 49th in the nation for percentage gain in nonfarm payroll employment over the past 12 months.
Virginia lost 3,000 private sector jobs, or -0.1 percent, on a seasonally adjusted basis during July. In the prior month, Virginia remained unchanged with 0 jobs. Virginia private sector payroll employment has increased in 2 of the past 12 months.
Nationally, private sector payroll jobs rose by 30,000 jobs in July, or 0 percent. Virginia ranks 51st 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 Leisure and Hospitality (+2,500) and Financial Activities (+1,300).
- The worst performing sectors were State and Local Government (-6,000) and Professional and Business Services (-3,400).
From July 2025 to July 2026:
- The best performing sectors were State and Local Government (+9,200) and Private Education and Health Services (+6,000).
- The worst performing sectors were Professional and Business Services (-22,100) and Federal Government (-19,400).
Virginia
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 Virginia fell to 63 percent in July from 63.1 percent in the prior month.
Virginia ranks 20th in the nation.
The 10-year high for the labor force participation rate in Virginia was 66.1 percent occurring in March 2023, and the 10-year low was 63 percent in July 2026.
The national labor force participation rate fell by 0.1 percentage points to 61.4 percent in July.