Unemployment Rates By State

Did you know that the unemployment rate in September dropped below 6% for the first time in six years? That’s fantastic news! Employers added 248,00 jobs in September and the current unemployment rate is 5.9%. This is really cool.

People are getting jobs. Nearly all industry sectors are adding positions. The economy is bouncing back and this is a good thing for everyone. Especially job seekers. Companies are hiring. People are going back to work. Yippee!

Where are you going to look for jobs? A big city? A small town? A rural area? A specific state? One way to narrow your job search is to take a look at the states with the highest employment rates.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, here are the 15 top states with the highest employment rates as of August 2014:

1. North Dakota – 2.8%
2. Nebraska – 3.6%
3. South Dakota – 3.6%
4. Utah – 3.6%
5. Vermont – 4.1%
6. Hawaii – 4.3%
7. Minnesota – 4.3%
8. New Hampshire – 4.4%
9. Iowa – 4.5%
10. Wyoming – 4.6%
11. Idaho – 4.7%
12. Montana – 4.7%
13. Oklahoma – 4.7%
14. Kansas – 4.9%
15. Colorado – 5.1%

Learn more about the economies of these states on NBC News. On the flip side, it’s also good to know which states were at the bottom of the list. Here are the states with the lowest employment rates:

1. Alabama – 6.9%
2. Arizona – 7.1%
3. Kentucky – 7.1%
4. Oregon – 7.2%
5. California, Michigan, & Tennessee – 7.4%
6. District of Columbia – 7.6%
7. Nevada – 7.6%
8. Rhode Island – 7.7%
9. Mississippi – 7.9%
10. Georgia – 8.1%

Visit the BLS for more information on unemployment rate statistics. You can also see an unemployment rate map at CNN.

Each state has a unique economy and factors that affect its unemployment rate. It may be wise to use this info to help you find a job. Where are you going to search for your next cool job?

You can search for jobs by state on the JobMonkey Job Board. We also have some great relocation tips if you’re planning to make a move. Good luck!