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Employment increased in 43 states, decreased in 7 from December 2014 to December 2015
January 28, 2016
From December 2014 to December 2015, nonfarm employment increased in 43 states and the District of Columbia and decreased in 7 states. The largest over-the-year percentage increases occurred in Idaho (+4.4 percent), South Carolina (+3.3 percent), and Utah (+3.2 percent). The largest over-the-year percentage decreases occurred in North Dakota (−4.0 percent), Wyoming (−2.2 percent), and West Virginia (−1.5 percent).
Over-the-year percent changes in employment by state, December 2014 to December 2015
2.4% and higher
1.6% to 2.3%
0.8% to 1.5%
0.0% to 0.7%
-0.1% and lower
2.9%
California
Net change: 459,400
Hover over a state to see data.
Hover over legend items to see states in a category.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Over-the-year changes in employment by state, December 2014 to December 2015
State
Percent change
Net change
Alabama
1.0
20,300
Alaska
-0.1
-300
Arizona
2.5
64,500
Arkansas
1.6
19,300
California
2.9
459,400
Colorado
1.9
46,600
Connecticut
1.3
22,600
Delaware
1.7
7,500
District of Columbia
1.4
10,700
Florida
2.9
233,100
Georgia
2.2
91,100
Hawaii
2.5
15,700
Idaho
4.4
29,100
Illinois
-0.1
-3,000
Indiana
1.9
57,100
Iowa
1.6
25,600
Kansas
0.5
6,900
Kentucky
2.1
40,200
Louisiana
-0.9
-17,600
Maine
1.4
8,600
Maryland
2.1
54,900
Massachusetts
2.1
73,800
Michigan
1.9
79,800
Minnesota
1.5
42,300
Mississippi
0.9
10,500
Missouri
0.9
26,000
Montana
0.5
2,500
Nebraska
1.4
14,200
Nevada
2.0
25,200
New Hampshire
0.5
3,400
New Jersey
1.6
65,200
New Mexico
0.3
2,600
New York
1.7
159,900
North Carolina
2.1
86,800
North Dakota
-4.0
-18,800
Ohio
1.5
82,700
Oklahoma
-0.5
-8,900
Oregon
2.7
47,800
Pennsylvania
0.7
38,000
Rhode Island
1.8
8,400
South Carolina
3.3
65,000
South Dakota
2.2
9,400
Tennessee
2.3
64,900
Texas
1.4
166,900
Utah
3.2
43,200
Vermont
0.8
2,600
Virginia
1.5
58,700
Washington
2.8
87,900
West Virginia
-1.5
-11,800
Wisconsin
0.9
25,700
Wyoming
-2.2
-6,400
Over the year, 39 states had statistically significant changes in employment, 36 of which were positive. The largest significant over-the-year job increase occurred in California (+459,400), followed by Florida (+233,100) and Texas (+166,900). The significant over-the-year job decreases occurred in North Dakota (−18,800), West Virginia (−11,800), and Wyoming (-6,400).
These data are from the Current Employment Statistics (State and Metro Area) program. Data for the most recent month are preliminary and subject to revision. To learn more, see "Regional and State Employment and Unemployment — December 2015" (HTML) (PDF).
United States Department of Labor
