BISMARCK, N.D. – Job Service North Dakota reported that labor statistics released today show
North Dakota’s November not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 1.4 percent. The
unemployment rate remained the same between October and November. November 2022’s rate
was 0.3 of a percentage point higher than the current rate.

Between October 2023 and November 2023 unemployment rose by 103, an increase of 1.8
percent. North Dakota typically sees a moderate increase in unemployment numbers between
October and November. The over-the-year decrease (November 2022 to November 2023) in
unemployed labor force was 1,271, a loss of 17.9 percent.

The national not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for November was 3.5 percent. It was
3.6 percent the prior month and 3.4 percent the prior year.
North Dakota Not Seasonally Adjusted Labor Force Data

November 2023 October 2023 November 2022
Unemployment Rate 1.4% 1.4% 1.7%
Unemployed 5,815 5,712 7,086
Employed 406,333 410,580 402,928
Labor Force 412,148 416,292 410,014

The nation’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 3.7 percent for the month, 0.2 of a
percentage point lower than the prior month, and 0.1 of a percentage point higher than one
year ago. The seasonally adjusted rate for North Dakota was 1.9 percent, the same as the
prior month, and 0.2 of a percentage point lower than 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 November, North Dakota ranked 2nd among all states’ unemployment rates, at 1.9 percent.
Maryland came in 1st place, with an unemployment rate of 1.8 percent.
Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates

November 2023 October 2023 November 2022
North Dakota 1.9% 1.9% 2.1%
United States 3.7% 3.9% 3.6%

North Dakota’s Nonfarm Employment
Preliminary estimates indicate North Dakota’s November 2023 not seasonally adjusted employment increased 1.9 percent (+8,300) from the same period one year ago and decreased 0.7 percent (-3,300) over the month.

Nine of the 13 major industries reported year-over-year employment increases, led by Mining and
Logging posting a gain of 2,700 jobs (+15.7 percent). Private Educational and Health Services
(+2,000), Government (+1,600), Leisure and Hospitality (+1,400), Retail Trade (+1,200),
Wholesale Trade (+1,000), and Manufacturing (+400) reported substantial gains in employment.
Construction (-2,200) and Information (-300) reported decreases in employment. Financial
Activities and Professional and Business Services remained unchanged.

METRO AREAS
Of North Dakota’s three metro areas over-the-year, Bismarck was the only metro area to post an
employment loss (-500). The Fargo and Grand Forks metro areas posted employment gains of
1,300 and 1,100, respectively.

GRAND FORKS
• Prominent employment gains took place in Government (+500) and Retail Trade (+400).
Employment reductions occurred in Financial Activities (-100) and Leisure and Hospitality
(-100).

FARGO
• Half of the major industries reported year-over-year employment increases. Private
Educational and Health Services (+1,200), Retail Trade (+600), and Professional and
Business Services (+200) posted the largest employment gains. The only losses were
reported in Mining, Logging and Construction (-500), Manufacturing (-300), and Information
(-200).

BISMARCK
• Private Educational and Health Services (+300), Retail Trade (+100), and Wholesale Trade
(+100) reported employment gains. The most substantial losses occurred in Leisure and
Hospitality (-400) and Professional and Business Services (-300)