Metropolitan Area Employment and Unemployment (Monthly) News Release - 2025 M03 Results — 2025-04-29

Unemployment rates were higher in March than a year earlier in 279 of the 387 metropolitan areas, lower in 72 areas, and unchanged in 36 areas, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. A total of 25 areas had jobless rates of less than 3.0 percent and 10 areas had rates of at least 8.0 percent. Nonfarm payroll employment increased over the year in 23 metropolitan areas, decreased in 1 area, and was essentially unchanged in 363 areas. The national unemployment rate in March was 4.2 percent, not seasonally adjusted, up from 3.9 percent a year earlier. This news release presents statistics from two monthly programs. The civilian labor force and unemployment data are based on the same concepts and definitions as those used for the national household survey estimates. These data pertain to individuals by where they reside.