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.
Washington
Employment snapshot
In November, Washington added 700 net payroll jobs. In the prior month, Washington lost 3,100 net payroll jobs.
Over the past 12 months, Washington added 2,200 net payroll jobs and the unemployment rate rose by 0.2 percentage points from 4.4 percent.
Nationally, nonfarm payrolls rose by 64,000 in November. Washington is tied for 37th in the nation for percentage gain in nonfarm payroll employment over the past 12 months.
In November, Washington’s private sector added 1,600 net private payroll jobs, and over the past 12 months it added 15,500 private payroll jobs. In the prior month, Washington added 800 net private payroll jobs.
Washington
Payroll employment
- Washington added 700 net payroll jobs, or 0 percent, on a seasonally adjusted basis during November. In the prior month, Washington lost 3,100 jobs. Washington nonfarm payroll employment has increased in 6 of the past 12 months.
Nationally, nonfarm payrolls rose by 64,000 in November. Washington is tied for 37th in the nation for percentage gain in nonfarm payroll employment over the past 12 months.
Washington added 1,600 private sector jobs, or 0.1 percent, on a seasonally adjusted basis during November. In the prior month, Washington added 800 jobs. Washington 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. Washington is tied for 30th 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 Private Education and Health Services (+3,500) and Leisure and Hospitality (+1,200).
- The worst performing sectors were Manufacturing (-1,800) and Construction (-1,800).
From November 2024 to November 2025:
- The best performing sectors were Private Education and Health Services (+14,600) and Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (+7,700).
- The worst performing sectors were Construction (-10,700) and Manufacturing (-7,200).
Washington
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.
- Washington ranks 29th in the nation.