February 2026 — 2026-04-22

Unemployment rates were higher in February in 1 state and stable in 49 states and the District of Columbia, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Thirteen states and the District had jobless rate increases from a year earlier, 2 states had decreases, and 35 states had little change. The national unemployment rate, 4.4 percent, changed little over the month but was 0.2 percentage point higher than in February 2025. In February 2026, nonfarm payroll employment decreased in 2 states, increased in 1 state, and was essentially unchanged in 47 states and the District of Columbia. Over the year, nonfarm payroll employment decreased in 2 states and the District, increased in 2 states, and was essentially unchanged in 46 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.