BISMARCK, N.D. – Job Service North Dakota reported that labor statistics released today show North Dakota’s April not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 2.1 percent. The unemployment rate decreased 0.4 of a percentage point between March and April. April 2022’s rate was the same as the current rate.

Between March 2023 and April 2023 unemployment fell by 1,540, a decrease of 14.7 percent. North Dakota typically sees a moderate change in unemployment numbers between March and April. The over-the-year increase (April 2022 to April 2023) in unemployed labor force was 245, a gain of 2.8 percent.

The national not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for April was 3.1 percent. It was 3.6 percent the prior month and 3.3 percent the prior year.

North Dakota Not Seasonally Adjusted Labor Force Data
 April 2023March 2023April 2022
Unemployment Rate2.1%2.5%2.1%
Unemployed8,95710,4978,712
Employed409,906405,698403,378
Labor Force418,863416,195412,090

The nation’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 3.4 percent for the month, lower than the prior month by 0.1 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 higher 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 April, North Dakota ranked 3rd among all states’ unemployment rates, at 2.1 percent. New Hampshire tied with North Dakota. South Dakota came in 1st place, with an unemployment rate of 1.9 percent.

Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates
 April 2023March 2023April 2022
North Dakota2.1%2.1%2.0%
United States3.4%3.5%3.6%

North Dakota’s Nonfarm Employment

Preliminary estimates indicate North Dakota’s April 2023 not seasonally adjusted employment increased 2.1 percent (+8,800) 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 3,500 jobs (+22.9 percent). Leisure and Hospitality posted the second largest employment increase, with a gain of 1,500 jobs (+4.0 percent). The Accommodation and Food Services subsector contributed the largest portion of this increase, a gain of 800 jobs. Other prominent super sector employment increases were reported in Private Educational and Health Services (+1,300), Professional and Business Services (+1,100), and Government (+1,100).

Losses occurred in Transportation, Warehousing and Utilities (-400), Construction (-300), and Information (-200).

METRO AREAS

All three of North Dakota’s metro areas reported increases in annual employment. Fargo posted the largest employment gain of 2,300. Grand Forks and Bismarck followed with employment growth of 1,300 and 100, respectively.

FARGO

  • Eight of the 12 major industries reported year-over-year employment increases. Private Educational and Health Services (+1,000), Leisure and Hospitality (+600), Manufacturing (+400), Government (+300), and Mining, Logging and Construction (+300) posted the largest gains in employment. Losses were posted in Transportation, Warehousing and Utilities (-400) and Information (-300).

BISMARCK

  • Private Educational and Health Services (+200) reported the most prominent gain in employment. Three industries tied for the second most prominent gain in employment: Manufacturing (+100), Retail Trade (+100), and Other Services (+100). Losses occurred in Government (-300) and Mining, Logging and Construction (-100).

GRAND FORKS

  • The largest employment gains were reported in Leisure and Hospitality (+300) and Retail Trade (+200). Wholesale Trade and Transportation, Warehousing and Utilities were the only industries to remain unchanged. All other industries reported employment gains of 100.