BISMARCK, N.D. – Job Service North Dakota reported that labor statistics released today show North Dakota’s April not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 2.2 percent. The unemployment rate decreased 0.4 of a percentage point between March and April. April 2023’s rate was 0.2 of a percentage point lower than the current rate.

Between March 2024 and April 2024 unemployment fell by 1,719, a decrease of 15.9 percent. North Dakota typically sees a moderate decrease in unemployment numbers between March and April. The over-the-year increase (April 2023 to April 2024) in unemployed labor force was 776, a gain of 9.3 percent.

The national not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for April was 3.5 percent. It was 3.9 percent the prior month and 3.1 percent the prior year.

North Dakota Not Seasonally Adjusted Labor Force Data
 April 2024March 2024April 2023
Unemployment Rate2.2%2.6%2.0%
Unemployed9,10910,8288,333
Employed409,152405,771407,846
Labor Force418,261416,599416,179

The nation’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 3.9 percent for the month, higher than the prior month by 0.1 of a percentage point and 0.5 of a percentage point higher than the same period one year ago. The seasonally adjusted rate for North Dakota was 2.0 percent, the same as the prior month, and 0.1 of a percentage point higher 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 April, North Dakota ranked 1st among all states’ unemployment rates, at 2.0 percent. South Dakota tied with North Dakota. Vermont came in 3rd place, with an unemployment rate of 2.1 percent. 

Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates
 April 2024March 2024April 2023
North Dakota2.0%2.0%1.9%
United States3.9%3.8%3.4%

North Dakota’s Nonfarm Employment

Preliminary estimates indicate North Dakota’s April 2024 not seasonally adjusted employment increased 1.5 percent (+6,500) from the same period one year ago and increased 1.0 percent (+4,300) over the month.

Seven of the 13 major industries reported year-over-year employment increases, led by Private Educational and Health Services posting a gain of 2,900 jobs (+4.3 percent). The Health Care and Social Assistance subsector contributed the largest portion of this increase, with Hospitals providing 1,000 of these jobs. Other prominent super sector employment increases were reported in Government (+1,700), Wholesale Trade (+1,100), Mining and Logging (+1,100), and Manufacturing (+800).

Leisure and Hospitality (-900), Professional and Business Services (-600), Information (-300), and Construction (-200) reported decreases in employment. Retail Trade and Financial Activities were the only industries to remain unchanged.

METRO AREAS

All three of North Dakota’s metro areas reported increases in annual employment. Fargo posted the largest change in employment, with a gain of 3,200 jobs. Grand Forks and Bismarck followed with employment gains of 1,500 and 300, respectively.

BISMARCK

  • Private Educational and Health Services (+500), Manufacturing (+200), Wholesale Trade (+200), and Mining, Logging and Construction (+200) reported employment gains. The most substantial losses occurred in Government (-300), Professional and Business Services (-200), and Leisure and Hospitality (-200).

FARGO

  • Nine of the 12 major industries reported year-over-year employment increases. Private Educational and Health Services (+1,500), Government (+600), and Mining, Logging and Construction (+500) posted prominent employment gains. Employment reductions were reported in Professional and Business Services (-400), Information (-300), and Financial Activities (-200).

GRAND FORKS

  • Prominent employment gains were reported in Government (+700), Private Educational and Health Services (+300), and Mining, Logging and Construction (+300). Employment losses occurred in Retail Trade (-100) and Transportation, Warehousing and Utilities (-100).