June unemployment rates were lower in eight (8) states, higher in two (2) states, and stable in 40 states and the District of Columbia, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (USBLS) reported this week. Thirteen states had jobless rate increases from a year earlier, seven (7) states had decreases, and 30 states plus the District had little change, the organization reported. The national unemployment rate of 4.2% changed little both over the month and over the year.
In June, nonfarm payroll employment increased in three (3) states, decreased in one, and was essentially unchanged in 46 states and the District of Columbia. Over the year, nonfarm payroll employment increased in four states, decreased in one state and the District, and was essentially unchanged in 45 states.
South Dakota had the lowest jobless rate in June, with 2%. The District of Columbia had the highest unemployment rate at 6%. In total, 17 states had unemployment rates lower than the U.S. figure of 4.2%; eight (8) states and the District had higher rates, and 25 states had rates that were not appreciably different from that of the nation.
Meanwhile, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics also reported that for those who are employed, the median weekly earnings of the nation’s 120.9 million full-time wage and salary workers were $1,251 in the second quarter of 2026 (not seasonally adjusted). That number was 4.6% higher than a year earlier, compared with a gain of 3.9% in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) over the same period.
Breaking down some of the numbers, women had median weekly earnings of $1,131, or 82% of the $1,380 median for men. The women’s-to-men’s earnings ratio varied by race and ethnicity. White women earned 81.6% as much as their male counterparts, compared with 91% for Black women, 78.3% for Asian women, and 83.5% for Hispanic women.
Median earnings of full-time workers who are Hispanic ($997) were lower than those who are Black ($1,029), White ($1,268) or Asian ($1,713).
People employed full time in management, professional, and related occupations had the highest median weekly earnings—$1,928 for men and $1,476 for women. People employed in service occupations earned the least—$920 for men and $730 for women. Full-time workers age 25 and over without a high school diploma had median weekly earnings of $803, high school graduates (no college) had earnings of $994, and those holding at least a bachelor’s degree had earnings of $1,768. Among college graduates with advanced degrees (master’s, professional, and doctoral degrees), the highest earning 10% of male workers made $5,363 or more per week, and their female counterparts made $3,676 or more per week.