BISMARCK, N.D. – Job Service North Dakota reported that labor statistics released today show North Dakota’s June not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 2.6 percent. The unemployment rate increased 0.6 of a percentage point between May and June. June 2023’s rate was 0.5 of a percentage point lower than the current rate.

Between May 2024 and June 2024 unemployment rose by +2,794, an increase of 33.9 percent. North Dakota typically sees a moderate increase in unemployment numbers between May and June. The over-the-year increase (June 2023 to June 2024) in unemployed labor force was +2,102, a gain of 23.5 percent.

The national not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for June was 4.3 percent. It was 3.7 percent the prior month and 3.8 percent the prior year.

North Dakota Not Seasonally Adjusted Labor Force Data
 June 2024May 2024June 2023
Unemployment Rate2.6%2.0%2.1%
Unemployed11,0388,2448,936
Employed414,097411,602414,720
Labor Force425,135419,846423,656

The nation’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.1 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 2.1 percent, higher than the prior month by 0.1 of a percentage point, and 0.3 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 June, North Dakota ranked 2nd among all states’ unemployment rates tied with Vermont at 2.1 percent. South Dakota had the lowest unemployment rate at 2.0 percent. 

Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates
 June 2024May 2024June 2023
North Dakota2.1%2.0%1.8%
United States4.1%4.0%3.6%

North Dakota’s Nonfarm Employment

Preliminary estimates indicate North Dakota’s June 2024 not seasonally adjusted employment increased 1.5 percent (+6,500) from the same period one year ago and increased 0.4 percent (+1,600) over the month.

Nine of the 13 major industries reported year-over-year employment increases, led by Private Educational and Health Services posting a gain of 3,000 jobs (+4.5 percent). The Health Care and Social Assistance subsector contributed the largest portion of this increase, with Hospitals providing 1,200 of these jobs. Other prominent super sector employment increases were reported in Government (+2,800), Mining and Logging (+900), Retail Trade (+700), and Wholesale Trade (+600).

Leisure and Hospitality (-1,100) and Professional and Business Services (-1,100) tied with the largest employment decreases. Information (-300) and Construction (-100) also reported a decline 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 (-300). The Fargo and Grand Forks metro areas posted employment gains of 3,300 and 900, respectively.

GRAND FORKS

  • Prominent employment gains were reported in Private Educational and Health Services (+500), Retail Trade (+200), and Manufacturing (+200). Employment losses occurred in Professional and Business Services (-200).

BISMARCK

  • Private Educational and Health Services (+600) and Wholesale Trade (+100) reported employment gains. The most substantial losses occurred in Leisure and Hospitality (-400) and Professional and Business Services (-400).

FARGO

  • Eight of the 12 major industries reported year-over-year employment increases. Private Educational and Health Services (+2,100) had the most employment growth. The largest portion of this growth was contributed by the Health Care and Social Assistance (+1,200) subsector. Employment reductions were reported in Professional and Business Services (-900), Information (-200), and Financial Activities (-200).