For release 10:00 a.m. (ET) Friday, March 24, 2023	                     USDL-23-0541
Technical information: 
 Employment:    (202) 691-6559  *  sminfo@bls.gov  *  www.bls.gov/sae   
 Unemployment:  (202) 691-6392  *  lausinfo@bls.gov  *  www.bls.gov/lau 
Media contact:  (202) 691-5902  *  PressOffice@bls.gov

                  STATE EMPLOYMENT AND UNEMPLOYMENT -- FEBRUARY 2023

Unemployment rates were lower in February in 9 states, higher in 3 states and the District 
of Columbia, and stable in 38 states, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today.
Thirteen states had jobless rate increases from a year earlier, 10 states and the District
had decreases, and 27 states had little change. The national unemployment rate edged up
to 3.6 percent but was 0.2 percentage point lower than in February 2022.
Nonfarm payroll employment increased in 6 states and was essentially unchanged in 44 states
and the District of Columbia in February 2023. Over the year, nonfarm payroll employment
increased in 46 states and was essentially unchanged in 4 states and the District.
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 individuals by where they reside. The employment data are from an establishment
survey that measures nonfarm employment, hours, and earnings by industry. These data 
pertain to jobs on payrolls defined by where the establishments are located. For more
information about the concepts and statistical methodologies used by these two programs,
see the Technical Note.
Unemployment
North Dakota and South Dakota had the lowest jobless rates in February, 2.1 percent each.
The next lowest rates were in Nebraska, 2.3 percent, and Montana and Utah, 2.4 percent
each. The rates in Maryland (2.9 percent), Montana (2.4 percent), and Wisconsin (2.7 
percent) set new series lows. (All state series begin in 1976.) Nevada had the highest
unemployment rate, 5.5 percent. In total, 17 states had unemployment rates lower than
the U.S. figure of 3.6 percent, 10 states and the District of Columbia had higher rates,
and 23 states had rates that were not appreciably different from that of the nation. 
(See tables A and 1.)
In February, nine states had over-the-month unemployment rate decreases, the largest of
which were in Arkansas, Nebraska, North Carolina, West Virginia, and Wisconsin (-0.2
percentage point each). Three states and the District of Columbia had over-the-month
increases, the largest of which were in Massachusetts and the District (+0.2 percentage
point each). Thirty-eight states had jobless rates that were not notably different from 
those of a month earlier, though some had changes that were at least as large numerically
as the significant changes. (See table B.)
Thirteen states had over-the-year unemployment rate increases, the largest of which was
in Oregon (+1.0 percentage point). Ten states and the District of Columbia had rate
decreases from February 2022, the largest of which were in New Mexico (-1.4 percentage
points) and New Jersey (-1.1 points). (See table C.)
Nonfarm Payroll Employment
Nonfarm payroll employment increased in 6 states and was essentially unchanged in 44
states and the District of Columbia in February 2023. The largest job gains occurred 
in Texas (+58,200), Florida (+38,800), and Washington (+15,300). The largest percentage
increases occurred in Hawaii and Utah (+0.6 percent each), followed by Florida, Texas,
and Washington (+0.4 percent each). (See tables D and 3.)
Over the year, nonfarm payroll employment increased in 46 states and was essentially
unchanged in 4 states and the District of Columbia. The largest job increases occurred
in Texas (+611,400), California (+486,500), and Florida (+427,400). The largest 
percentage increase occurred in Nevada (+5.1 percent), followed by Florida and Texas
(+4.6 percent each). (See table E.)
_____________
The Metropolitan Area Employment and Unemployment news release for February
is scheduled to be released on Wednesday, April 5, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. (ET).
The State Employment and Unemployment news release for March is scheduled 
to be released on Friday, April 21, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. (ET).

Table A. States with unemployment rates significantly different
from that of the U.S., February 2023, seasonally adjusted
--------------------------------------------------------------
                State                |          Rate(p)
--------------------------------------------------------------
United States (1) ...................|           3.6
                                     |
Alabama .............................|           2.5
California ..........................|           4.3
Colorado ............................|           2.9
Delaware ............................|           4.6
District of Columbia ................|           4.7
Florida .............................|           2.6
Idaho ...............................|           2.6
Illinois ............................|           4.5
Iowa ................................|           2.9
Kansas ..............................|           2.9
                                     |
Maryland ............................|           2.9
Michigan ............................|           4.3
Minnesota ...........................|           3.0
Missouri ............................|           2.6
Montana .............................|           2.4
Nebraska ............................|           2.3
Nevada ..............................|           5.5
New Hampshire .......................|           2.7
New York ............................|           4.2
North Dakota ........................|           2.1
                                     |
Oregon ..............................|           4.7
Pennsylvania ........................|           4.4
South Dakota ........................|           2.1
Texas ...............................|           4.0
Utah ................................|           2.4
Vermont .............................|           2.8
Washington ..........................|           4.6
Wisconsin ...........................|           2.7
--------------------------------------------------------------
   (1) Data are not preliminary.
   (p) = preliminary.

Table B. States with statistically significant unemployment rate changes
from January 2023 to February 2023, seasonally adjusted
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                |          Rate         |
                                |-----------|-----------| Over-the-month
             State              |  January  | February  |    change(p)
                                |   2023    |  2023(p)  |
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Arizona ........................|     3.8   |     3.7   |      -0.1
Arkansas .......................|     3.4   |     3.2   |       -.2
California .....................|     4.2   |     4.3   |        .1
District of Columbia ...........|     4.5   |     4.7   |        .2
Massachusetts ..................|     3.5   |     3.7   |        .2
Montana ........................|     2.5   |     2.4   |       -.1
Nebraska .......................|     2.5   |     2.3   |       -.2
New Hampshire ..................|     2.8   |     2.7   |       -.1
North Carolina .................|     3.8   |     3.6   |       -.2
Texas ..........................|     3.9   |     4.0   |        .1
                                |           |           |
Vermont ........................|     2.9   |     2.8   |       -.1
West Virginia ..................|     3.9   |     3.7   |       -.2
Wisconsin ......................|     2.9   |     2.7   |       -.2
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
   (p) = preliminary.

Table C. States with statistically significant unemployment rate changes
from February 2022 to February 2023, seasonally adjusted
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                |          Rate         |
                                |-----------|-----------|  Over-the-year
             State              | February  | February  |    change(p)
                                |   2022    |  2023(p)  |
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alaska .........................|     4.7   |     3.8   |      -0.9
California .....................|     4.7   |     4.3   |       -.4
Colorado .......................|     3.6   |     2.9   |       -.7
Connecticut ....................|     4.6   |     4.0   |       -.6
District of Columbia ...........|     5.6   |     4.7   |       -.9
Florida ........................|     3.3   |     2.6   |       -.7
Hawaii .........................|     3.2   |     3.6   |        .4
Indiana ........................|     2.8   |     3.1   |        .3
Iowa ...........................|     2.5   |     2.9   |        .4
Kansas .........................|     2.4   |     2.9   |        .5
                                |           |           |
Maine ..........................|     3.2   |     2.8   |       -.4
Maryland .......................|     3.4   |     2.9   |       -.5
Minnesota ......................|     2.6   |     3.0   |        .4
Nebraska .......................|     2.0   |     2.3   |        .3
New Hampshire ..................|     2.2   |     2.7   |        .5
New Jersey .....................|     4.6   |     3.5   |      -1.1
New Mexico .....................|     5.0   |     3.6   |      -1.4
New York .......................|     4.7   |     4.2   |       -.5
Oregon .........................|     3.7   |     4.7   |       1.0
Utah ...........................|     2.2   |     2.4   |        .2
                                |           |           |
Vermont ........................|     2.4   |     2.8   |        .4
Virginia .......................|     2.9   |     3.2   |        .3
Washington .....................|     4.0   |     4.6   |        .6
Wyoming ........................|     3.4   |     3.8   |        .4
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
   (p) = preliminary.

Table D. States with statistically significant employment changes from
January 2023 to February 2023, seasonally adjusted
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              |             |             | Over-the-month change(p)
            State             |   January   |   February  |---------------------------
                              |     2023    |    2023(p)  |    Level    |   Percent
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Florida ......................|   9,643,100 |   9,681,900 |      38,800 |      0.4
Hawaii .......................|     629,500 |     633,200 |       3,700 |       .6
Michigan .....................|   4,401,800 |   4,416,400 |      14,600 |       .3
Texas ........................|  13,773,700 |  13,831,900 |      58,200 |       .4
Utah .........................|   1,701,300 |   1,712,000 |      10,700 |       .6
Washington ...................|   3,598,200 |   3,613,500 |      15,300 |       .4
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   (p) = preliminary.

Table E. States with statistically significant employment changes from
February 2022 to February 2023, seasonally adjusted
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              |             |             |  Over-the-year change(p)
            State             |   February  |   February  |---------------------------
                              |     2022    |    2023(p)  |    Level    |   Percent
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alabama ......................|   2,097,900 |   2,139,400 |      41,500 |      2.0
Alaska .......................|     316,800 |     326,500 |       9,700 |      3.1
Arizona ......................|   3,069,000 |   3,147,800 |      78,800 |      2.6
Arkansas .....................|   1,322,100 |   1,354,600 |      32,500 |      2.5
California ...................|  17,483,100 |  17,969,600 |     486,500 |      2.8
Colorado .....................|   2,841,000 |   2,887,700 |      46,700 |      1.6
Connecticut ..................|   1,658,800 |   1,687,500 |      28,700 |      1.7
Delaware .....................|     469,100 |     479,900 |      10,800 |      2.3
Florida ......................|   9,254,500 |   9,681,900 |     427,400 |      4.6
Georgia ......................|   4,740,700 |   4,875,800 |     135,100 |      2.8
                              |             |             |             |       
Hawaii .......................|     608,800 |     633,200 |      24,400 |      4.0
Idaho ........................|     820,200 |     845,100 |      24,900 |      3.0
Illinois .....................|   5,969,700 |   6,114,600 |     144,900 |      2.4
Indiana ......................|   3,163,300 |   3,236,900 |      73,600 |      2.3
Iowa .........................|   1,567,500 |   1,590,300 |      22,800 |      1.5
Kansas .......................|   1,406,700 |   1,448,000 |      41,300 |      2.9
Kentucky .....................|   1,948,900 |   1,991,900 |      43,000 |      2.2
Louisiana ....................|   1,910,500 |   1,946,000 |      35,500 |      1.9
Maine ........................|     634,300 |     646,800 |      12,500 |      2.0
Massachusetts ................|   3,644,100 |   3,735,800 |      91,700 |      2.5
                              |             |             |             |       
Michigan .....................|   4,324,700 |   4,416,400 |      91,700 |      2.1
Minnesota ....................|   2,909,400 |   2,983,000 |      73,600 |      2.5
Mississippi ..................|   1,162,100 |   1,179,700 |      17,600 |      1.5
Missouri .....................|   2,904,000 |   2,962,000 |      58,000 |      2.0
Montana ......................|     505,500 |     518,100 |      12,600 |      2.5
Nebraska .....................|   1,021,600 |   1,043,300 |      21,700 |      2.1
Nevada .......................|   1,463,000 |   1,537,700 |      74,700 |      5.1
New Hampshire ................|     681,100 |     699,500 |      18,400 |      2.7
New Jersey ...................|   4,216,000 |   4,321,400 |     105,400 |      2.5
New Mexico ...................|     840,700 |     862,800 |      22,100 |      2.6
                              |             |             |             |       
New York .....................|   9,412,600 |   9,682,000 |     269,400 |      2.9
North Carolina ...............|   4,740,500 |   4,884,600 |     144,100 |      3.0
North Dakota .................|     423,900 |     434,400 |      10,500 |      2.5
Ohio .........................|   5,497,700 |   5,575,500 |      77,800 |      1.4
Oklahoma .....................|   1,682,800 |   1,728,200 |      45,400 |      2.7
Oregon .......................|   1,930,800 |   1,989,600 |      58,800 |      3.0
Pennsylvania .................|   5,929,600 |   6,094,400 |     164,800 |      2.8
South Carolina ...............|   2,224,200 |   2,278,100 |      53,900 |      2.4
South Dakota .................|     449,400 |     459,900 |      10,500 |      2.3
Tennessee ....................|   3,207,200 |   3,310,500 |     103,300 |      3.2
                              |             |             |             |       
Texas ........................|  13,220,500 |  13,831,900 |     611,400 |      4.6
Utah .........................|   1,659,400 |   1,712,000 |      52,600 |      3.2
Vermont ......................|     301,000 |     307,500 |       6,500 |      2.2
Virginia .....................|   4,035,100 |   4,131,200 |      96,100 |      2.4
Washington ...................|   3,491,000 |   3,613,500 |     122,500 |      3.5
Wisconsin ....................|   2,947,100 |   2,997,400 |      50,300 |      1.7
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   (p) = preliminary.