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.

Washington

Employment snapshot

• In July, Washington added 11,600 net payroll jobs and the unemployment rate fell by 0.2 percentage point to 5 percent. In the prior month, Washington lost 4,100 net payroll jobs.

• Over the past 12 months, Washington added 17,200 net payroll jobs and the unemployment rate rose by 0.4 percentage points from 4.6 percent.

• Nationally, nonfarm payrolls fell by 23,000 in July, or 0 percent. Washington is tied for 16th in the nation for percentage gain in nonfarm payroll employment over the past 12 months.

• In July, Washington’s private sector added 12,700 net private payroll jobs, and over the past 12 months it added 27,900 private payroll jobs. In the prior month, Washington added 300 net private payroll jobs.

• In July, employment in Washington fell by 3,852, and over the past 12 months it fell by 20,190.

• Washington’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 0.6 percentage points.

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Washington

Payroll employment

• Washington added 11,600 net payroll jobs, or 0.3 percent, on a seasonally adjusted basis during July. In the prior month, Washington lost 4,100 jobs. Washington nonfarm payroll employment has increased in 7 of the past 12 months.

• Nationally, nonfarm payrolls fell by 23,000 in July, or 0 percent. Washington is tied for 16th in the nation for percentage gain in nonfarm payroll employment over the past 12 months.

• Washington added 12,700 private sector jobs, or 0.4 percent, on a seasonally adjusted basis during July. In the prior month, Washington added 300 jobs. Washington private sector payroll employment has increased in 9 of the past 12 months.

• Nationally, private sector payroll jobs rose by 30,000 jobs in July, or 0 percent. Washington ranks 13th 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 Private Education and Health Services (+3,400) and Professional and Business Services (+2,300).
• The worst performing sectors were State and Local Government (-700) and Federal Government (-400).

From July 2025 to July 2026:

• The best performing sectors were Private Education and Health Services (+8,500) and Professional and Business Services (+7,500).
• The worst performing sectors were Federal Government (-5,800) and State and Local Government (-4,900).

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.

• The labor force participation rate in Washington fell to 62.1 percent in July from 62.3 percent in the prior month.

• Washington is tied for 25th in the nation.

• The 10-year high for the labor force participation rate in Washington was 65.9 percent in November 2019, and the 10-year low was 62.1 percent in July 2026.

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