Bismarck – Job Service North Dakota reported that labor statistics released today show North Dakota’s September not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 1.3 percent. The unemployment rate declined 0.2 of a percentage point between August and September. September 2022’s rate was 0.2 of a percentage point higher than the current rate.

Between August 2023 and September 2023 unemployment fell by 866, a decrease of 13.3 percent. North Dakota typically sees a moderate decline in unemployment numbers between August and September. The over-the-year decrease (September 2022 to September 2023) in unemployed labor force was 688, a loss of 10.9 percent.

The national not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for September was 3.6 percent. It was 3.9 percent the prior month and 3.3 percent the prior year.

North Dakota Not Seasonally Adjusted Labor Force Data
 September 2023August 2023September 2022
Unemployment Rate1.3%1.5%1.5%
Unemployed5,6366,5026,324
Employed412,949414,197409,972
Labor Force418,585420,699416,296

The nation’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 3.8 percent for the month, the same as the prior month, and 0.3 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 September, North Dakota ranked 2nd among all states’ unemployment rates, at 1.9 percent. South Dakota and Vermont tied with North Dakota. Maryland came in 1st place, with an unemployment rate of 1.6 percent.

Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates
 September 2023August 2023September 2022
North Dakota1.9%1.9%2.1%
United States3.8%3.8%3.5%

North Dakota’s Nonfarm Employment

Preliminary estimates indicate North Dakota’s September 2023 not seasonally adjusted employment increased 2.1 percent (+9,000) from the same period one year ago and increased 1.5 percent (+6,500) over the month.

Nine of the 13 major industries reported year-over-year employment increases, led by Government posting a gain of 3,400 jobs (+4.2 percent). Mining and Logging (+2,500), Leisure and Hospitality (+2,100), Professional and Business Services (+1,000), Private Educational and Health Services (+1,000), Wholesale Trade (+600), and Retail Trade (+600) reported substantial gains in employment.

Construction (-2,000), Financial Activities (-500), Transportation, Warehousing and Utilities (-200), and Information (-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 (-100). The Grand Forks and Fargo metro areas posted employment gains of 1,000 and 400, respectively.

GRAND FORKS

  • Half of the major industries reported year-over-year employment increases. Government (+400), Retail Trade (+300), and Professional and Business Services (+200) posted the largest gains in employment. The only losses were reported in Mining, Logging, and Construction (-100) and Financial Activities (-100).

BISMARCK

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

FARGO

  • Prominent employment gains took place in Private Educational and Health Services (+500), Leisure and Hospitality (+500), and Retail Trade (+300). The largest employment reductions occurred in Mining, Logging, and Construction (-500) and Government (-300).