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.
Rhode Island Employment Snapshot
In May, Rhode Island lost 1,100 net payroll jobs and the unemployment rate rose by 0.2 percentage point to 4.3 percent. In the prior month, Rhode Island added 1,100 net payroll jobs.
Over the past 12 months, Rhode Island added 8,300 net payroll jobs and the unemployment rate rose by 1.7 percentage points from 2.6 percent.
Nationally, nonfarm payrolls rose by 272,000 in May, or 0.2 percent. Rhode Island is tied for 22nd in the nation for percentage gain in nonfarm payroll employment over the past 12 months.
In May, Rhode Island’s private sector lost 200 net private payroll jobs, and over the past 12 months it added 7,800 private payroll jobs. In the prior month, Rhode Island added 800 net private payroll jobs.
In May, employment in Rhode Island rose by 1,586, and over the past 12 months it rose by 5,648.
Rhode Island’s labor force participation rate rose to 64.9 percent in May from 64.7 percent and is tied for 16th in the nation. In the past 12 months, the labor force participation rate has risen by 1.4 percentage points.
Rhode Island Payroll Employment
Rhode Island lost 1,100 net payroll jobs, or -0.2 percent, on a seasonally adjusted basis during May. In the prior month, Rhode Island added 1,100 jobs. Rhode Island nonfarm payroll employment has increased in 8 of the past 12 months.
Nationally, nonfarm payrolls rose by 272,000 in May, or 0.2 percent. Rhode Island is tied for 22nd in the nation for percentage gain in nonfarm payroll employment over the past 12 months.
Rhode Island lost 200 private sector jobs, or 0 percent. on a seasonally adjusted basis during May. In the prior month, Rhode Island added 800 jobs. Rhode Island private sector payroll employment has increased in 8 of the past 12 months.
Nationally, private sector payroll jobs rose by 229,000 jobs in May, or 0.2 percent. Rhode Island is tied for 14th 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 (500) and Other Services (200).
The poorest performing sectors during the month were Professional and Business Services (-600) and Government (-900).
The best performing sectors during the last 12 months were Education and Health Services (4,800) and Professional and Business Services (2,100).
The poorest performing sectors during the last 12 months were Financial Activities (-400) and Information (-500).
Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island rose to 64.9 percent in May from 64.7 percent in the prior month.
Rhode Island is tied for 16th in the nation.
The 10-year high for the labor force participation rate in Rhode Island was 65.2 percent occurring in April 2015, and the 10-year low was 61 percent in April 2020.
The national labor force participation rate fell by 0.2 percentage points to 62.5 percent in May.