January 2025
Released March 17, 2025
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United States Employment Snapshot
In January, among the 50 states and the District of Columbia unemployment fell in 9, rose in 19, and remained unchanged in 23.
The highest unemployment rate was 5.8 percent in Nevada, and the lowest was 1.9 percent in South Dakota. Nationally, the unemployment rate fell by 0.1 percentage point to 4 percent.
In January, payroll jobs rose in 31 states and fell in 19. The largest payroll job percent increase was 0.5 percent in South Dakota. The largest payroll job percent decline was 0.6 percent in Georgia.
Alaska Employment Snapshot
In January, Alaska added 800 net payroll jobs and the unemployment rate remained unchanged at 4.7 percent. In the prior month, Alaska added 400 net payroll jobs.
Over the past 12 months, Alaska added 9,400 net payroll jobs and the unemployment rate rose by 0.3 percentage points from 4.4 percent.
Nationally, nonfarm payrolls rose by 125,000 in January, or 0.1 percent. Alaska is tied for 1st in the nation for percentage gain in nonfarm payroll employment over the past 12 months.
In January, Alaska’s private sector added 700 net private payroll jobs, and over the past 12 months it added 8,200 private payroll jobs. In the prior month, Alaska added 500 net private payroll jobs.
In January, employment in Alaska rose by 884, and over the past 12 months it rose by 2,963.
Alaska’s labor force participation rate rose to 64.7 percent in January from 64.6 percent and ranks 19th in the nation. In the past 12 months, the labor force participation rate has risen by 0.2 percentage points.
Alaska Payroll Employment
Alaska added 800 net payroll jobs, or 0.2 percent, on a seasonally adjusted basis during January. In the prior month, Alaska added 400 jobs. Alaska nonfarm payroll employment has increased in 9 of the past 12 months.
Nationally, nonfarm payrolls rose by 125,000 in January, or 0.1 percent. Alaska is tied for 1st in the nation for percentage gain in nonfarm payroll employment over the past 12 months.
Alaska added 700 private sector jobs, or 0.3 percent. on a seasonally adjusted basis during January. In the prior month, Alaska added 500 jobs. Alaska private sector payroll employment has increased in 9 of the past 12 months.
Nationally, private sector payroll jobs rose by 81,000 jobs in January, or 0.1 percent. Alaska ranks 1st in the nation for percentage gain in private sector payroll employment over the past 12 months.
The best performing sectors on a seasonally adjusted basis during January were Manufacturing (700) and Professional and Business Services (500).
The poorest performing sectors during the month were Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (-200) and Leisure and Hospitality (-600).
The best performing sectors during the last 12 months were Leisure and Hospitality (2,500) and Education and Health Services (1,500).
The poorest performing sectors during the last 12 months were Information (-200) and Financial Activities (-200).
Alaska Labor Force
The labor force participation rate is the percentage of the civilian noninstitutionalized population age 16 and older who are employed or actively looking for work.
The labor force participation rate in Alaska rose to 64.7 percent in January from 64.6 percent in the prior month.
Alaska ranks 19th in the nation.
The 10-year high for the labor force participation rate in Alaska was 67.1 percent in January 2015, and the 10-year low was 61.7 percent in April 2020.
The national labor force participation rate rose by 0.1 percentage points to 62.6 percent in January.