BISMARCK, N.D. – Job Service North Dakota reported that labor statistics released today show North Dakota’s March not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 2.5 percent. The unemployment rate decreased 0.1 of a percentage point between February and March. March 2022’s rate was 0.2 of a percentage point higher than the current rate.

Between February 2023 and March 2023 unemployment fell by 378, a decrease of 3.5 percent. North Dakota typically sees a slight change in unemployment numbers between February and March. The over-the-year decrease (March 2022 to March 2023) in unemployed labor force was 822, a loss of 7.3 percent.

The national not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for March was 3.6 percent. It was 3.9 percent the prior month and 3.8 percent the prior year.

North Dakota Not Seasonally Adjusted Labor Force Data
 March 2023February 2023March 2022
Unemployment Rate2.5%2.6%2.7%
Unemployed10,49510,87311,317
Employed405,716401,602401,243
Labor Force416,211412,475412,560

The nation’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 3.5 percent for the month, lower than the prior month by 0.1 of a percentage point and 0.1 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 the same as 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 March, North Dakota ranked 2nd among all states’ unemployment rates, at 2.1 percent. Nebraska tied with North Dakota. South Dakota came in 1st place, with an unemployment rate of 1.9 percent.

Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates
 March 2023February 2023March 2022
North Dakota2.1%2.1%2.1%
United States3.5%3.6%3.6%

North Dakota’s Nonfarm Employment

Preliminary estimates indicate North Dakota’s March 2023 not seasonally adjusted employment increased 2.4 percent (+10,000) from the same period one year ago and increased 0.4 percent (+1,900) over the month.

Ten of the 13 major industries reported year-over-year employment increases, led by Mining and Logging posting a gain of 3,400 jobs (+22.8 percent). Private Educational and Health Services posted the second largest employment increase, with a gain of 1,500 jobs (+2.3 percent). Other prominent employment increases were reported in Leisure and Hospitality (+1,400), Retail Trade (+900), Construction (+800), and Manufacturing (+600).

Losses occurred in Information (-200) and Transportation, Warehousing, and Utilities (-100). Financial Activities was the only industry to remain unchanged.

METRO AREAS

Of North Dakota’s three metro areas, Bismarck was the only metro area to post an over-the-year decrease in employment (-100). The Fargo and Grand Forks metro areas posted employment gains of +4,200 and +1,400, respectively.

FARGO

  • Leisure and Hospitality (+1,300), Private Educational and Health Services (+1,200), Mining, Logging, and Construction (+1,000), and Manufacturing (+600) reported substantial employment gains. Information (-300), Professional and Business Services (-200), Transportation, Warehousing and Utilities (-200), and Financial Activities (-100) were the only industries to report losses in employment. All other industries reported employment gains of 300 or less.

GRAND FORKS

  • Eight of the 12 major industries reported year-over-year employment increases. The remaining four industries reported unchanged employment. Retail Trade (+400), Manufacturing (+200), Leisure and Hospitality (+200), and Mining, Logging and Construction (+200) posted the largest gains in employment.

BISMARCK

  • Private Educational and Health Services (+300) posted the largest gain in employment. The second most prominent gain took place in Manufacturing (+200). The most significant employment loss occurred in Government (-500). All other industries either remained stable or displayed employment fluctuations of 100 or less.