Job Service North Dakota reported that unemployment continued to trend lower over the year in August. North Dakota had one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country and one of the highest labor force participation rates. North Dakota’s not seasonally adjusted total nonfarm payroll employment increased by 2,700 jobs (+0.6 percent) over the year in August. Payroll job gains were concentrated in ambulatory health care services, hospitals, professional and technical services, food services and drinking places, and specialty trade contractors while the largest job losses were in merchant wholesalers, administrative and waste services, retail trade, and federal government.
This news release presents statistics from two distinct monthly programs. The Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS) program measures the labor force status of the population, including unemployment. The Current Employment Statistics (CES) program measures nonfarm payroll employment, hours, and earnings by industry.
LABOR FORCE STATISTICS
In August 2026, North Dakota’s preliminary not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 2.2 percent while one year prior it was 2.5 percent. The national not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.3 percent, lower than 4.5 percent one year ago. Historically for the month of August, North Dakota's series high not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 5.3 percent in 2020 while the series low was 1.9 percent most recently recorded in 2023.
North Dakota’s August estimated labor force decreased 0.3 percent (-1,480) over the year. The number of unemployed people decreased 14.0 percent (-1,525) from one year ago to 9,359, the seventh month in a row of year-over-year declines.
North Dakota’s not seasonally adjusted labor force participation rate was 69.6 percent in August, down from 70.3 percent one year ago. The national labor force participation rate was 61.7 percent. Historically for the month of August, North Dakota's series high not seasonally adjusted labor force participation rate was 75.3 percent in 2008 while the series low was 65.1 percent in 1976.
NOT SEASONALLY ADJUSTED LABOR FORCE DATA
NORTH DAKOTA
Aug 2026
Jul 2026
Aug 2025
Labor Force
434,048
434,308
435,528
Employed
424,689
425,046
424,644
Unemployed
9,359
9,262
10,884
Unemployment Rate
2.2%
2.1%
2.5%
Labor Force Participation Rate
69.6%
69.7%
70.3%
UNITED STATES
Unemployment Rate
4.3%
4.4%
4.5%
Labor Force Participation Rate
61.7%
61.8%
62.4%
Adjusted for seasonality, North Dakota’s August 2026 preliminary unemployment rate was 2.2 percent while last month it was 2.2 percent and one year prior it was 2.6 percent. The national seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.1 percent while last month it was 4.1 percent and one year prior it was 4.3 percent. Historically across all months, North Dakota's series high seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 8.7 percent in April 2020 while the series low was 2.0 percent most recently recorded in August 2023.
North Dakota’s seasonally adjusted labor force participation rate was 69.0 percent in August, down from the prior month and lower than one year ago. The national labor force participation rate was 61.6 percent. Historically across all months, North Dakota's series high seasonally adjusted labor force participation rate was 74.3 percent most recently recorded in August 2008 while the series low was 62.4 percent in March 1976.
Among all 50 states, the lowest August 2026 seasonally adjusted unemployment rates were in South Dakota (2.0 percent), North Dakota (2.2 percent), and Vermont (2.6 percent) while the highest rates were in California (5.1 percent), Connecticut (5.1 percent), and Oregon (5.1 percent). Nebraska had the highest seasonally adjusted labor force participation rate at 69.3 percent followed by North Dakota (69.0 percent) and Iowa (67.0 percent) while the lowest rates were in West Virginia (53.8 percent), Mississippi (54.7 percent), and New Mexico (56.7 percent).
SEASONALLY ADJUSTED LABOR FORCE DATA
NORTH DAKOTA
Aug 2026
Jul 2026
Aug 2025
Unemployment Rate
2.2%
2.2%
2.6%
Labor Force Participation Rate
69.0%
69.2%
69.7%
UNITED STATES
Unemployment Rate
4.1%
4.1%
4.3%
Labor Force Participation Rate
61.6%
61.4%
62.3%
Seasonal adjustment is a statistical technique that attempts to measure and remove the influences of predictable seasonal patterns to reveal how employment and unemployment change from month to month.
NONFARM EMPLOYMENT STATISTICS
In August 2026, North Dakota's preliminary not seasonally adjusted total nonfarm employment increased by 2,700 jobs (+0.6 percent) when compared to the same month one year ago. The U.S. reported an employment increase of 0.3 percent over the year. North Dakota's private sector employment increased by 2,700 jobs over the year while the government sector was unchanged. Six of 12 private sector industries reported over-the-year employment increases led by Leisure and Hospitality (+1,600), Private Educational and Health Services (+1,500), and Construction (+1,000). Six industries reported over-the-year employment decreases led by Wholesale Trade (-1,000), Retail Trade (-600), and Professional and Business Services (-500).
North Dakota’s August not seasonally adjusted average hourly earnings for all employees on private nonfarm payrolls were $35.93 while the U.S. average was $37.78. Over the year, North Dakota’s average hourly earnings have increased by 3.5 percent while U.S. earnings were higher by 3.8 percent. The average workweek for all employees on private nonfarm payrolls in North Dakota for August was 36.1 hours, up from 36.0 hours a year ago. The U.S. average workweek was 34.8 hours, up from 34.3 hours one year prior.
BISMARCK METRO
The Bismarck metro area's August preliminary not seasonally adjusted total nonfarm employment increased by 400 jobs (+0.5 percent) when compared to the same month one year ago. The private sector increased by 500 jobs over the year while the government sector lost 100. Four of 11 private
sector industries reported over-the-year employment increases with the largest gains reported in Private Educational and Health Services (+400) and Professional and Business Services (+300). Three industries reported year-over-year employment decreases led by Wholesale Trade (-200).
FARGO METRO
The Fargo metro area's August preliminary not seasonally adjusted total nonfarm employment increased by 1,200 jobs (+0.8 percent) when compared to the same month one year ago. The private sector increased by 1,400 jobs over the year while the government sector lost 200. Five of 11 private sector industries reported over-the-year employment increases led by Leisure and Hospitality (+1,100) and Private Educational and Health Services (+800). Five industries reported year-over-year employment decreases led by Wholesale Trade (-400) and Financial Activities (-400).
GRAND FORKS METRO
The Grand Forks metro area's August preliminary not seasonally adjusted total nonfarm employment increased by 600 jobs (+1.1 percent) when compared to the same month one year ago. The private sector increased by 600 jobs over the year while the government sector was unchanged. Four of 11 private sector industries reported over-the-year employment increases led by Retail Trade (+300) and Professional and Business Services (+300). Wholesale Trade (-100) and Transportation, Warehousing, and Utilities (-100) reported year-over-year employment decreases. Employment for five industries was unchanged over the year.
MINOT METRO
The Minot metro area's August preliminary not seasonally adjusted total nonfarm employment increased by 300 jobs (+0.9 percent) when compared to the same month one year ago. The private sector decreased by 200 jobs over the year while the government sector gained 500. Professional and Business Services (+100) and Private Educational and Health Services (+100) reported the only over-the-year employment increases. Four industries reported over-the-year employment decreases of 100 each. Employment for five industries was unchanged over the year.
NOTES:
- Labor force data for counties and other substate areas will be posted on 9-23-2026 to the North Dakota Labor Market Information website: https://www.ndlmi.com.
- The Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS) program produces monthly labor force estimates of the civilian noninstitutional population 16 years of age and over for approximately 75 geographic areas in North Dakota. The Job Service North Dakota Labor Market Information Center produces labor force statistics in cooperation with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). LAUS estimates are designed to reflect the labor force concepts embodied in the Current Population Survey (CPS). The CPS is a national survey collected each month from a probability sample of approximately 60,000 households to yield estimates of labor force, employment, unemployment, persons not in the labor force, and other demographic and labor force characteristics of the population down to the state level.
- The labor force includes those in the civilian noninstitutional population ages 16 and older classified as either employed or unemployed but actively looking for work by place of residence.
- The labor force participation rate represents the proportion of the civilian noninstitutional population ages 16 and older in the labor force (that is, either employed or unemployed but actively looking for work).
- The unemployment rate represents the proportion of the labor force that is unemployed but actively looking for work.
- The Current Employment Statistics (CES) program produces monthly nonfarm employment estimates, including hours and earnings, for 5 geographic areas in North Dakota. The Job Service North Dakota Labor Market Information Center produces nonfarm employment statistics in cooperation with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The CES estimates are derived from a national monthly establishment survey of approximately 119,000 businesses and government agencies conducted by the BLS. The survey is a stratified, simple random sample of worksites where the sample strata, or subpopulations, are defined by state, industry, and employment size, yielding a state-based design. The CES survey, like other sample surveys, is subject to sampling and nonsampling error.
- Nonfarm employment is an estimate of payroll jobs, including hours and earnings, by place of work.
- Seasonal adjustment is a statistical technique that attempts to measure and remove the influences of predictable seasonal patterns to reveal how employment and unemployment change from month to month.
- Data are subject to monthly and annual revisions.
Contact Information:
Marcia Havens, Labor Market Information Manager
Phone: 701-328-4029 | Email: mehavens@nd.gov | ndlmi.com