BLS: Little Change in State NFPs in November

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The US Bureau of Labor Statistics released its November 2025 State Employment and Unemployment Report this morning. This report still suffers from some of the statistical noise caused by the government shutdown, as m/m comparisons remain challenged, particularly for the household data. The BLS reported that November payrolls were up y/y in twelve states and down only in the District of Columbia. Unemployment rates were higher y/y in 16 states and lower in eight. South Dakota had the lowest unemployment rate in November 2025 at 2.1%, followed by Hawaii at 2.2%. The highest u-rates were reported in DC (6.5%), California (5.5%) and New Jersey (5.4%). Delaware saw the largest y/y u-rate increase at 4.9% in November compared to 3.6% a year earlier. Delaware’s total NFP was essentially unchanged y/y, while its labor force grew 8,352 and its total unemployed increased by 7,199. 


Missouri, South Carolina, and North Carolina recorded the largest percentage gains in payrolls y/y. In Missouri’s case, the gains primarily came from the health and education, leisure, and government sectors, while South Carolina saw growth in leisure and hospitality, health and education, trade and transportation and professional services. Finally, North Carolina’s NFP gains were principally concentrated in construction and trade and transportation. The District of Columbia was the only entity to post a y/y decline in employment and, not surprisingly, most of that came from a 20,600 drop in the government sector as well as a 6,500 decline in professional services. 


The below exhibit is reproduced from the November 2025 press release.


Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics


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