North Dakota’s September Unemployment Rate at 1.8% | News Dakota
- October 21, 2026 @ 9:49 am
- News
BISMARCK, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – Job Service North Dakota reported that unemployment continued to trend lower over the year in September. North Dakota had one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country and one of the highest labor force participation rates. North Dakota’s not seasonally adjusted total nonfarm payroll employment increased by 1,200 jobs (+0.3 percent) over the year in September. Payroll job gains were concentrated in professional and technical services, food services and drinking places, ambulatory health care services, and gambling and recreation while the largest job losses were in administrative and waste services, merchant wholesalers, retail trade, and federal government.
This news release presents statistics from two distinct monthly programs. The Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS) program measures the labor force status of the population, including unemployment. The Current Employment Statistics (CES) program measures nonfarm payroll employment, hours, and earnings by industry.
LABOR FORCE STATISTICS
In September 2026, North Dakota’s preliminary not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 1.8 percent while one year prior it was 2.1 percent. The national not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.0 percent, lower than 4.3 percent one year ago. Historically for the month of September, North Dakota’s series high not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.8 percent in 1982 while the series low was 1.5 percent in 2019.
North Dakota’s September estimated labor force decreased 0.2 percent (-723) over the year. The number of unemployed people decreased 15.8 percent (-1,465) from one year ago to 7,801, the eighth month in a row of year-over-year declines.
North Dakota’s not seasonally adjusted labor force participation rate was 69.3 percent in September, down from 69.9 percent one year ago. The national labor force participation rate was 61.8 percent. Historically for the month of September, North Dakota’s series high not seasonally adjusted labor force participation rate was 74.3 percent in 2008 while the series low was 63.0 percent in 1976.
NOT SEASONALLY ADJUSTED LABOR FORCE DATA
NORTH DAKOTA
Sep 2026
Aug 2026
Sep 2025
Labor Force
432,510
434,032
433,233
Employed
424,709
424,672
423,967
Unemployed
7,801
9,360
9,266
Unemployment Rate
1.8%
2.2%
2.1%
Labor Force Participation Rate
69.3%
69.6%
69.9%
UNITED STATES
Unemployment Rate
4.0%
4.3%
4.3%
Labor Force Participation Rate
61.8%
61.7%
62.4%
Adjusted for seasonality, North Dakota’s September 2026 preliminary unemployment rate was 2.2 percent while last month it was 2.2 percent and one year prior it was 2.6 percent. The national seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.2 percent while last month it was 4.1 percent and one year prior it was 4.4 percent. Historically across all months, North Dakota’s series high seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 8.7 percent in April 2020 while the series low was 2.0 percent most recently recorded in August 2023.
North Dakota’s seasonally adjusted labor force participation rate was 68.9 percent in September, down from the prior month and lower than one year ago. The national labor force participation rate was 61.8 percent. Historically across all months, North Dakota’s series high seasonally adjusted labor force participation rate was 74.3 percent most recently recorded in August 2008 while the series low was 62.4 percent in March 1976.
Among all 50 states, the lowest September 2026 seasonally adjusted unemployment rates were in South Dakota (2.0 percent), North Dakota (2.2 percent), New Hampshire (2.6 percent), and Vermont (2.6 percent) while the highest rates were in California (5.1 percent), Connecticut (5.1 percent), Michigan (5.0 percent), and Oregon (5.0 percent). Nebraska had the highest seasonally adjusted labor force participation rate at 69.2 percent followed by North Dakota (68.9 percent) and Iowa (66.9 percent) while the lowest rates were in West Virginia (53.8 percent), Mississippi (54.5 percent), and New Mexico (56.6 percent).
SEASONALLY ADJUSTED LABOR FORCE DATA
NORTH DAKOTA
Sep 2026
Aug 2026
Sep 2025
Unemployment Rate
2.2%
2.2%
2.6%
Labor Force Participation Rate
68.9%
69.0%
69.8%
UNITED STATES
Unemployment Rate
4.2%
4.1%
4.4%
Labor Force Participation Rate
61.8%
61.6%
62.5%
Seasonal adjustment is a statistical technique that attempts to measure and remove the influences of predictable seasonal patterns to reveal how employment and unemployment change from month to month.
NONFARM EMPLOYMENT STATISTICS
In September 2026, North Dakota’s preliminary not seasonally adjusted total nonfarm employment increased by 1,200 jobs (+0.3 percent) when compared to the same month one year ago. The U.S. reported an employment increase of 0.3 percent over the year. North Dakota’s private sector employment increased by 1,800 jobs over the year while the government sector lost 600. Six of 12 private sector industries reported over-the-year employment increases led by Leisure and Hospitality (+1,300), Private Educational and Health Services (+1,100), and Other Services (+900). Six industries reported over-the-year employment decreases led by Wholesale Trade (-900), Retail Trade (-800), and Transportation, Warehousing, and Utilities (-400).
North Dakota’s September not seasonally adjusted average hourly earnings for all employees on private nonfarm payrolls were $35.45 while the U.S. average was $37.69. Over the year, North Dakota’s average hourly earnings have increased by 0.1 percent while U.S. earnings were higher by 2.9 percent. The average workweek for all employees on private nonfarm payrolls in North Dakota for September was 35.5 hours, up from 35.4 hours a year ago. The U.S. average workweek was 34.2 hours, unchanged from one year prior.
BISMARCK METRO
The Bismarck metro area’s September preliminary not seasonally adjusted total nonfarm employment was unchanged when compared to the same month one year ago. The private sector decreased by 100 jobs over the year while the government sector gained 100. Three of 11 private sector industries reported over-the-year employment increases with the largest gain reported in Private Educational and Health Services (+300). Five industries reported year-over-year employment decreases led by Transportation, Warehousing, and Utilities (-200).
FARGO METRO
The Fargo metro area’s September preliminary not seasonally adjusted total nonfarm employment increased by 1,200 jobs (+0.8 percent) when compared to the same month one year ago. The private sector increased by 1,200 jobs over the year while the government sector was unchanged. Six of 11 private sector industries reported over-the-year employment increases led by Leisure and Hospitality (+600), and Private Educational and Health Services (+600), and Manufacturing (+500). Four industries reported year-over-year employment decreases led by Wholesale Trade (-400) and Financial Activities (-400).
GRAND FORKS METRO
The Grand Forks metro area’s September preliminary not seasonally adjusted total nonfarm employment decreased by 900 jobs (-1.6 percent) when compared to the same month one year ago. The private sector increased by 300 jobs over the year while the government sector lost 1,200. Five of 11 private sector industries reported over-the-year employment increases led by Retail Trade (+200). Wholesale Trade (-100), Transportation, Warehousing, and Utilities (-100), and Leisure and Hospitality (-100) reported year-over-year employment decreases. Employment for three industries was unchanged over the year.
MINOT METRO
The Minot metro area’s September preliminary not seasonally adjusted total nonfarm employment increased by 400 jobs (+1.1 percent) when compared to the same month one year ago. The private sector decreased by 100 jobs over the year while the government sector gained 500. Professional and Business Services (+100) and Private Educational and Health Services (+100) reported the only over-the-year employment increases. Three industries reported over-the-year employment decreases of 100 each. Employment for six industries was unchanged over the year.
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