These 15 U.S. States Have the Highest Employment Levels, According to a New Report In April, 17 states had unemployment rates lower than the national average of 3.4%.

By Madeline Garfinkle

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

Walter Bibikow | Getty Images
Deadwood, South Dakota.

Despite all the chatter of a slowing job market, unemployment was down in a majority of U.S. states in April.

According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics released last week, 16 states had unemployment rates lower in April as compared to last year and 14 states had month-over-month decreases. Furthermore, with the exception of Rhode Island, all U.S. states plus the District of Columbia reported more people working this April than last year.

Additionally, 17 states had unemployment rates lower than the national average of 3.4%.

South Dakota had the lowest level of unemployment in April at 1.9%, followed by Nebraska at 2%, and New Hampshire and North Dakota (both at 2.1%).

Related: This Industry Has $1 Trillion in Funding But Can't Find Any Workers

Despite Nevada having the highest unemployment rate in the country (5.4%), it conversely had the biggest increase in employment year-over-year at 4.2%. New Mexico, which had an unemployment rate slightly above the national average at 3.5%, also had the biggest year-over-year decline in unemployment, with a decrease of 0.8%.

Here are the 15 states where unemployment was the lowest last month across the country:

1. South Dakota

Unemployment rate: 1.9%

Year-over-year percent change: 0.0%

Year-over-year employment increase: 2.5%

2. Nebraska

Unemployment rate: 2%

Year-over-year percent change: 0.0%

Year-over-year employment increase: 2.1%

3. New Hampshire

Unemployment rate: 2.1%

Year-over-year percent change: -0.3%

Year-over-year employment increase: 2.1%

4. North Dakota

Unemployment rate: 2.1%

Year-over-year percent change: 0.1%

Year-over-year employment increase: 2.1%

5. Alabama

Unemployment rate: 2.2%

Year-over-year percent change: -0.3%

Year-over-year employment increase: 2%

6. Montana

Unemployment rate: 2.3%

Year-over-year percent change: -0.3%

Year-over-year employment increase:

7. Utah

Unemployment rate: 2.3%

Year-over-year percent change: 0.1%

Year-over-year employment increase: 2.8%

8. Maine

Unemployment rate: 2.4%

Year-over-year percent change: -0.3%

Year-over-year employment increase: 1.2%

9. Vermont

Unemployment rate: 2.4%

Year-over-year percent change: 0.2%

Year-over-year employment increase: 1.9%

10. Wisconsin

Unemployment rate: 2.4%

Year-over-year percent change: -0.4%

Year-over-year employment increase: 1.7%

11. Maryland

Unemployment rate: 2.5%

Year-over-year percent change: -0.6%

Year-over-year employment increase: 1.5%

12. Missouri

Unemployment rate: 2.5%

Year-over-year percent change: 0.2%

Year-over-year employment increase: 2.1%

13. Florida

Unemployment rate: 2.6%

Year-over-year percent change: -0.4%

Year-over-year employment increase: 3.9%

14. Idaho

Unemployment rate: 2.6%

Year-over-year percent change: 0.1%

Year-over-year employment increase: 3.1%

15. Iowa

Unemployment rate: 2.7%

Year-over-year percent change: 0.4%

Year-over-year employment increase: 1.7%

Madeline Garfinkle

News Writer

Madeline Garfinkle is a News Writer at Entrepreneur.com. She is a graduate from Syracuse University, and received an MFA from Columbia University. 

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Marketing

Beyond Likes and Shares — How to Leverage Influencer Partnerships in the New Era of Social Media

Social media is evolving, and traditional marketing tactics are no longer enough. Learn how to leverage influencer partnerships, build authentic connections and navigate dark social to create impactful marketing campaigns that drive real engagement and trust.

Leadership

Why Work-Life Balance Is Overrated — and What to Pursue Instead

Managing quality, not time, is the secret to thriving personally and professionally.

Celebrity Entrepreneurs

From Hollywood to Harvest — How Zooey Deschanel is on a Mission to Make Fresh Produce More Accessible

Along with her business partner and ex-husband, serial entrepreneur Jacob Pechenik, Deschanel founded Lettuce Grow. This hydroponic vertical garden system allows you to grow fruits, vegetables, herbs and edible flowers at home.

Marketing

How to Nail Your Product Messaging with This 8-Step Framework

Effective product messaging is clear, relevant and focused on solving customer problems, not just listing features.

Business Ideas

70 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2025

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2025.

Side Hustle

'I Was Called Crazy': This 27-Year-Old's Side Hustle Hit $30,000 a Month in Under a Year — Now It's Worth Millions

Changing regulations forced Angel Rodriguez's jet ski rental company to shut down, and the young entrepreneur had to figure out his next move — fast.