Bismarck, N.D. – Job Service North Dakota reported that labor statistics released today show North Dakota’s May not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 1.9 percent. The unemployment rate decreased 0.2 of a percentage point between April and May. May 2022’s rate was 0.2 of a percentage point lower than the current rate.

Between April 2023 and May 2023 unemployment fell by 983, a decrease of 11.0 percent. North Dakota typically sees a moderate change in unemployment numbers between April and May. The over-the-year increase (May 2022 to May 2023) in unemployed labor force was 795, a gain of 11.1 percent.

The national not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for May was 3.4 percent. It was 3.1 percent the prior month and 3.4 percent the prior year.

North Dakota Not Seasonally Adjusted Labor Force Data
 May 2023April 2023May 2022
Unemployment Rate1.9%2.1%1.7%
Unemployed7,9808,9637,185
Employed413,249409,961408,434
Labor Force421,229418,924415,619

The nation’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 3.7 percent for the month, higher than the prior month by 0.3 of a percentage point, and 0.1 of a percentage point higher 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 May, North Dakota ranked 4th among all states’ unemployment rates, at 2.1 percent. Vermont tied with North Dakota. Nebraska, New Hampshire, and South Dakota tied for 1st place, with unemployment rates of 1.9 percent.

Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates
 May 2023April 2023May 2022
North Dakota2.1%2.1%2.0%
United States3.7%3.4%3.6%

North Dakota’s Nonfarm Employment

Preliminary estimates indicate North Dakota’s May 2023 not seasonally adjusted employment increased 2.1 percent (+8,800) from the same period one year ago and increased 1.5 percent (+6,600) over the month.

Eight of the 13 major industries reported year-over-year employment increases, led by Mining and Logging posting a gain of 3,200 jobs (+20.1 percent). Leisure and Hospitality posted the second largest employment increase, with a gain of 2,400 jobs (+6.1 percent). The Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation subsector contributed the largest portion of this increase, a gain of 1,600 jobs. Other prominent super sector employment increases were reported in Private Educational and Health Services (+1,400), Retail Trade (+900), Wholesale Trade (+700), and Other Services (+600).

Construction (-200), Information (-200), Manufacturing (-200), Transportation, Warehousing and Utilities (-200), and Financial Activities (-100) posted decreases in employment.

METRO AREAS

Of North Dakota’s three metro areas over-the-year, Bismarck was the only metro area to post an employment loss (-900). The Fargo and Grand Forks metro areas posted employment gains of 1,800 and 1,100, respectively.

GRAND FORKS

  • Seven of the 12 major industries reported year-over-year employment increases. Government (+300) posted the largest gain in employment. Losses were posted in Transportation, Warehousing, and Utilities (-100) and Mining, Logging, and Construction (-100).

FARGO

  • Prominent employment gains took place in Private Educational and Health Services (+1,300), Leisure and Hospitality (+700), and Manufacturing (+300). The largest employment reduction occurred in Transportation, Warehousing, and Utilities (-300). All other industries either remained stable or reported employment fluctuations of 200 or less.

BISMARCK

  • Manufacturing (+100), Wholesale Trade (+100), Private Educational and Health Services (+100), and Other Services (+100) reported employment gains. The most substantial losses occurred in Leisure and Hospitality (-400), Government (-300), Professional and Business Services (-200), and Mining, Logging and Construction (-200).