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.
Delaware Employment Snapshot
In January, Delaware lost 100 net payroll jobs and the unemployment rate remained unchanged at 3.6 percent. In the prior month, Delaware added 400 net payroll jobs.
Over the past 12 months, Delaware added 4,300 net payroll jobs and the unemployment rate fell by 0.2 percentage points from 3.8 percent.
Nationally, nonfarm payrolls rose by 125,000 in January, or 0.1 percent. Delaware is tied for 27th in the nation for percentage gain in nonfarm payroll employment over the past 12 months.
In January, Delaware’s private sector remained unchanged with 0 net private payroll jobs, and over the past 12 months it added 2,900 private payroll jobs. In the prior month, Delaware added 300 net private payroll jobs.
In January, employment in Delaware rose by 91, and over the past 12 months it rose by 396.
Delaware’s labor force participation rate remained steady at 59.1 percent in January and ranks 42nd in the nation. In the past 12 months, the labor force participation rate has fallen by 1 percentage point.
Delaware Payroll Employment
Delaware lost 100 net payroll jobs, or 0 percent, on a seasonally adjusted basis during January. In the prior month, Delaware added 400 jobs. Delaware nonfarm payroll employment has increased in 7 of the past 12 months.
Nationally, nonfarm payrolls rose by 125,000 in January, or 0.1 percent. Delaware is tied for 27th in the nation for percentage gain in nonfarm payroll employment over the past 12 months.
Delaware remained unchanged with 0 private sector jobs, or 0 percent. on a seasonally adjusted basis during January. In the prior month, Delaware added 300 jobs. Delaware private sector payroll employment has increased in 6 of the past 12 months.
Nationally, private sector payroll jobs rose by 81,000 jobs in January, or 0.1 percent. Delaware is tied for 30th 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 Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (500) and Leisure and Hospitality (200).
The poorest performing sectors during the month were Other Services (-300) and Professional and Business Services (-600).
The best performing sectors during the last 12 months were Education and Health Services (2,800) and Government (1,400).
The poorest performing sectors during the last 12 months were Information (-100) and Financial Activities tied with Professional and Business Services (-700).
Delaware 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 Delaware remained unchanged at 59.1 percent in January.
Delaware ranks 42nd in the nation.
The 10-year high for the labor force participation rate in Delaware was 63.2 percent in June 2020, and the 10-year low was 59.1 percent occurring in January 2025.
The national labor force participation rate rose by 0.1 percentage points to 62.6 percent in January.