BISMARCK, N.D. Job Service North Dakota reported that labor statistics released today show North Dakota’s February not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 2.6 percent. The unemployment rate remained stable between January and February, which was consistent with typical seasonal patterns. February 2022’s rate was 0.1 of a percentage point higher than the current rate.

Between January 2023 and February 2023 unemployment rose by 258, an increase of 2.4 percent. North Dakota typically sees a slight increase in unemployment numbers between January and February. The over-the-year decrease (February 2022 to February 2023) in unemployed labor force was 397, a loss of 3.5 percent.

The national not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for February was 3.9 percent. It was 3.9 percent the prior month and 4.1 percent the prior year.

North Dakota Not Seasonally Adjusted Labor Force Data
 February 2023January 2023February 2022
Unemployment Rate2.6%2.6%2.7%
Unemployed10,86210,60411,259
Employed401,722398,918398,899
Labor Force412,584409,522410,158

The nation’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 3.6 percent for the month, higher than the prior month by 0.2 of a percentage point and 0.2 of a percentage point lower than the same period one year ago. The seasonally adjusted rate for North Dakota was 2.1 percent, the same as the prior month, and 0.1 of a percentage point lower than the same period one year ago. The seasonal adjustment process uses a statistical adjustment to accommodate predictable fluctuations between months such as length of daylight and typical weather, allowing for comparison between all months of a year.

In February, North Dakota ranked 1st among all states’ unemployment rates, at 2.1 percent. South Dakota tied with North Dakota. Nebraska came in 3rd place, with an unemployment rate of 2.3 percent. 

Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates
 February 2023January 2023February 2022
North Dakota2.1%2.1%2.2%
United States3.6%3.4%3.8%

      North Dakota’s Nonfarm Employment

Preliminary estimates indicate North Dakota’s February 2023 not seasonally adjusted employment increased 2.8 percent (+11,800) from the same period one year ago and increased 1.1 percent (+4,500) over the month.

Ten of the 13 major industries reported year-over-year employment increases, led by Mining and Logging posting a gain of 3,000 jobs (+20.7 percent). Leisure and Hospitality posted the second largest employment increase, with a gain of 1,800 jobs (+4.8 percent). Other prominent employment increases were reported in Private Educational and Health Services (+1,700), Construction (+1,300), Wholesale Trade (+1,000), and Professional and Business Services (+1,000).

Losses occurred in Financial Activities (-400) and Information (-200). Other Services was the only industry to remain unchanged.

METRO AREAS

All three of North Dakota’s metro areas had increases in annual employment. Combined, employment grew by 6,700 jobs in the metro areas. Fargo posted the leading employment gain of 4,500 (+3.1 percent). The Grand Forks and Bismarck metro areas posted employment gains of +1,700 and +500, respectively.

GRAND FORKS

  • Retail Trade (+300), Government (+300), and Private Educational and Health Services (+300) posted the largest gains in employment. All other industries either remained stable or posted employment gains of 200 or less.

BISMARCK

  • Private Educational and Health Services (+400) and Manufacturing (+200) posted top employment gains. Government (-400) and Transportation, Warehousing, and Utilities (-100) were the only industries to display losses in employment.

FARGO

  • Private Educational and Health Services (+1,400), Mining, Logging and Construction (+1,000), Leisure and Hospitality (+900), and Manufacturing (+600) reported substantial employment gains. Information (-200), Financial Activities (-100), and Transportation, Warehousing and Utilities (-100) were the only industries to report losses in employment. Professional and Business Services was the only industry to remain stable, while all other industries reported employment gains of 400 or less.