Mapped: Unemployment Rates in Every U.S. State in 2026

How Unemployment Rates Compare Across America in 2026

America’s labor market is showing signs of strain, but some states are facing considerably more pressure than others. From California’s technology sector to federal job cuts in Washington, D.C., local economic conditions are shaping employment trends.

This map compares unemployment rates across all 50 states and Washington, D.C., using preliminary, seasonally adjusted August 2026 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

High Unemployment on the West Coast

Higher unemployment is concentrated along the West Coast, with California, Oregon, and Washington all recording rates above the national average of 4.1%. Connecticut also stands out in the Northeast, where unemployment is similarly elevated.

Meanwhile, several states across the Great Plains and northern New England have comparatively low unemployment rates. Local economic conditions and industry mixes help explain some of these regional differences.

The following data table ranks states by their unemployment rates in August 2026.

Rank	State	Unemployment Rate (%)
1	South Dakota	2.0
2	North Dakota	2.2
3	Vermont	2.6
4	Hawaii	2.7
5	New Hampshire	2.8
6	Nebraska	2.9
7	Wyoming	3.0
8	Georgia	3.2
8	Iowa	3.2
8	Maine	3.2
8	Montana	3.2
8	Wisconsin	3.2
13	Indiana	3.3
13	Ohio	3.3
15	Alabama	3.4
15	Mississippi	3.4
15	Tennessee	3.4
18	Missouri	3.5
18	North Carolina	3.5
18	Utah	3.5
21	Idaho	3.6
21	Virginia	3.6
23	Pennsylvania	3.7
23	Rhode Island	3.7
25	Kansas	3.8
26	Arkansas	3.9
27	Colorado	4.0
27	West Virginia	4.0
29	Maryland	4.1
29	South Carolina	4.1
31	Louisiana	4.2
32	Alaska	4.3
32	Massachusetts	4.3
32	New Jersey	4.3
32	New York	4.3
32	Oklahoma	4.3
37	Minnesota	4.4
37	Texas	4.4
39	Florida	4.5
40	Delaware	4.7
40	Illinois	4.7
40	Kentucky	4.7
40	New Mexico	4.7
44	Nevada	4.8
45	Arizona	4.9
45	Washington	4.9
47	Michigan	5.0
48	California	5.1
48	Connecticut	5.1
48	Oregon	5.1
51	District of Columbia	5.7
--	U.S. average	4.1

Unemployment rates tell only part of the labor market story. Texas, for example, recorded 4.4% unemployment while adding more than 159,000 payroll jobs over the year, with gains in hospitality, professional and business services, and manufacturing.

Florida’s unemployment rate, meanwhile, rose from 4.0% to 4.5% over the year, while California’s declined from 5.5% to 5.1%. Despite these contrasting trends, the two states ended August with relatively similar unemployment rates.

Health Care Supports California’s Job Market

California’s job growth has leaned heavily on private education and health services. The sector added 131,500 jobs over the year through August, nearly matching the statewide net increase of 138,500.

An aging population helps explain the demand for care. Older adults generally require more medical treatment and long-term support, creating opportunities in hospitals and services that help people remain in their homes.

Other employers have been cutting back. California’s information sector lost 22,600 jobs over the year, while professional and business services shed another 15,500. August’s losses included computer-related work, legal services, and accounting, with weakness spanning several white-collar industries.

Federal Job Cuts Ripple Through D.C.

Federal agencies in the District recorded a net loss of 22,356 jobs during 2025, even after accounting for new hiring. Buyouts, retirements, and other departures reduced a workforce that has long been central to the capital’s economy.

Those lost positions represented approximately $3.7 billion in annual federal pay. The effects extend beyond government workers, as the loss of well-paying jobs can also reduce spending at restaurants, shops, and other local businesses.

The pressure is also reaching city finances. A September budget update lowered projected revenue for fiscal year 2027 by $155 million amid a softer local job market.

For Washington, D.C., the challenge extends beyond finding new jobs for displaced workers. A shrinking federal workforce can also weaken consumer spending, business activity, and the tax revenue that supports public services.

Learn More on the Voronoi App

To explore the growing challenge of long-term unemployment, check out Long-term unemployment in the U.S. has risen to a post-pandemic high on Voronoi.