The national unemployment rate held steady at 4.3 percent in May 2026, according to a report released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The figure remained unchanged both over the month and compared to the previous year.
Statewide trends showed varying results, with unemployment rates lower in six states, higher in two states, and stable in 42 states and the District of Columbia.
In terms of state-specific fluctuations, South Dakota reported the lowest jobless rate at 2.1 percent, while the District of Columbia saw the highest rate at 6.1 percent. California followed the District with a rate of 5.3 percent.
Utah's unemployment rate was recorded at 3.7 percent, which is lower than the national figure of 4.3 percent.
During the month of May, six states experienced decreases in their unemployment rates: Delaware, Massachusetts, Ohio, Rhode Island, and South Carolina each saw a 0.2 percentage point drop, while South Dakota decreased by 0.1 percentage point. Conversely, Alabama and Kentucky both reported rate increases of 0.2 percentage points.
Looking at year-over-year changes from May 2025 to May 2026, sixteen states saw unemployment rate increases. The largest increases occurred in Connecticut, which rose by 1.3 percentage points, and Florida, which rose by 1.1 percentage points.
Six states reported over-the-year rate decreases, led by Ohio with a 1.0 percentage point decline. Twenty-eight states and the District of Columbia showed jobless rates that were not notably different from the previous year.
Regarding nonfarm payroll employment, increases were reported in only two states during May 2026: North Carolina added 17,400 jobs and West Virginia added 9,700 jobs. Employment remained essentially unchanged in 48 states and the District of Columbia.
Over the past year, nonfarm payroll employment increased in North Carolina and Nevada, while a decrease was noted in Virginia.
