January 2026 — 2026-04-08

Unemployment rates were higher in January in 1 state and stable in 49 states and the District of Columbia, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Fourteen states and the District had jobless rate increases from a year earlier, 2 states had decreases, and 34 states had little change. The national unemployment rate, 4.3 percent, changed little over the month but was 0.3 percentage point higher than in January 2025. In January 2026, nonfarm payroll employment increased in 5 states, decreased in the District of Columbia, and was essentially unchanged in 45 states. Over the year, nonfarm payroll employment increased in 4 states, decreased in Maryland and the District, and was essentially unchanged in 45 states. This news release presents statistics from two monthly programs. The civilian labor force and unemployment data are modeled based largely on a survey of households. These data pertain to people by where they reside.