March 2026 — 2026-05-06

Unemployment rates were little changed in March in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Fourteen states had jobless rate increases from a year earlier, 2 states had decreases, and 34 states and the District had little change. The national unemployment rate, 4.3 percent, changed little over the month and from March 2025. In March 2026, nonfarm payroll employment increased in 3 states and was essentially unchanged in 47 states and the District of Columbia. Over the year, nonfarm payroll employment decreased in 3 states and the District, increased in 3 states, and was essentially unchanged in 44 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. The employment data are from an establishment survey that measures nonfarm employment, hours, and earnings by industry.