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.
Nebraska Employment Snapshot
In January, Nebraska lost 200 net payroll jobs and the unemployment rate remained unchanged at 2.9 percent. In the prior month, Nebraska added 1,000 net payroll jobs.
Over the past 12 months, Nebraska added 9,900 net payroll jobs and the unemployment rate rose by 0.3 percentage points from 2.6 percent.
Nationally, nonfarm payrolls rose by 125,000 in January, or 0.1 percent. Nebraska is tied for 27th in the nation for percentage gain in nonfarm payroll employment over the past 12 months.
In January, Nebraska’s private sector lost 500 net private payroll jobs, and over the past 12 months it added 6,200 private payroll jobs. In the prior month, Nebraska added 600 net private payroll jobs.
In January, employment in Nebraska rose by 1,809, and over the past 12 months it rose by 8,918.
Nebraska’s labor force participation rate rose to 69 percent in January from 68.9 percent and ranks 3rd in the nation. In the past 12 months, the labor force participation rate has risen by 0.1 percentage points.
Nebraska Payroll Employment
Nebraska lost 200 net payroll jobs, or 0 percent, on a seasonally adjusted basis during January. In the prior month, Nebraska added 1,000 jobs. Nebraska 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. Nebraska is tied for 27th in the nation for percentage gain in nonfarm payroll employment over the past 12 months.
Nebraska lost 500 private sector jobs, or -0.1 percent. on a seasonally adjusted basis during January. In the prior month, Nebraska added 600 jobs. Nebraska private sector payroll employment has increased in 7 of the past 12 months.
Nationally, private sector payroll jobs rose by 81,000 jobs in January, or 0.1 percent. Nebraska 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 (600) and Education and Health Services (400).
The poorest performing sectors during the month were Leisure and Hospitality (-500) and Professional and Business Services (-900).
The best performing sectors during the last 12 months were Education and Health Services (6,200) and Government (3,700).
The poorest performing sectors during the last 12 months were Manufacturing (-2,100) and Professional and Business Services (-3,400).
Nebraska 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 Nebraska rose to 69 percent in January from 68.9 percent in the prior month.
Nebraska ranks 3rd in the nation.
The 10-year high for the labor force participation rate in Nebraska was 70.5 percent occurring in December 2019, and the 10-year low was 68.8 percent occurring in March 2024.
The national labor force participation rate rose by 0.1 percentage points to 62.6 percent in January.