United States Employment Snapshot
In May, among the 50 states and the District of Columbia unemployment fell in 13, rose in 17, and remained unchanged in 21.
The highest unemployment rate was 5.3 percent in District of Columbia, and the lowest was 2 percent in North Dakota and South Dakota. Nationally, the unemployment rate rose by 0.1 percentage point to 4 percent.
In May, payroll jobs rose in 42 states and fell in 9. The largest payroll job percent increase was 0.9 percent in Idaho. The largest payroll job percent decline was 0.3 percent in Minnesota.
South Dakota Employment Snapshot
In May, South Dakota added 1,100 net payroll jobs and the unemployment rate remained unchanged at 2 percent. In the prior month, South Dakota lost 2,600 net payroll jobs.
Over the past 12 months, South Dakota added 8,300 net payroll jobs and the unemployment rate rose by 0.1 percentage point from 1.9 percent.
Nationally, nonfarm payrolls rose by 272,000 in May, or 0.2 percent. South Dakota is tied for 18th in the nation for percentage gain in nonfarm payroll employment over the past 12 months.
In May, South Dakota’s private sector added 800 net private payroll jobs, and over the past 12 months it added 6,100 private payroll jobs. In the prior month, South Dakota lost 2,500 net private payroll jobs.
In May, employment in South Dakota rose by 223, and over the past 12 months it rose by 819.
South Dakota’s labor force participation rate fell to 67.5 percent in May from 67.6 percent and ranks 7th in the nation. In the past 12 months, the labor force participation rate has fallen by 0.9 percentage points.
South Dakota Payroll Employment
South Dakota added 1,100 net payroll jobs, or 0.2 percent, on a seasonally adjusted basis during May. In the prior month, South Dakota lost 2,600 jobs. South Dakota nonfarm payroll employment has increased in 9 of the past 12 months.
Nationally, nonfarm payrolls rose by 272,000 in May, or 0.2 percent. South Dakota is tied for 18th in the nation for percentage gain in nonfarm payroll employment over the past 12 months.
South Dakota added 800 private sector jobs, or 0.2 percent. on a seasonally adjusted basis during May. In the prior month, South Dakota lost 2,500 jobs. South Dakota private sector payroll employment has increased in 9 of the past 12 months.
Nationally, private sector payroll jobs rose by 229,000 jobs in May, or 0.2 percent. South Dakota is tied for 17th 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 May were Education and Health Services tied with Leisure and Hospitality (500) and Financial Activities (400).
The poorest performing sectors during the month were Other Services (-200) and Construction (-400).
The best performing sectors during the last 12 months were Government (2,200) and Construction (1,900).
The poorest performing sectors during the last 12 months were Financial Activities (-300) and Manufacturing (-400).
South Dakota 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 South Dakota fell to 67.5 percent in May from 67.6 percent in the prior month.
South Dakota ranks 7th in the nation.
The 10-year high for the labor force participation rate in South Dakota was 70.1 percent occurring in January 2015, and the 10-year low was 67.5 percent in May 2024.
The national labor force participation rate fell by 0.2 percentage points to 62.5 percent in May.