States With the Highest Unemployment Last Month

Special Report

Published: March 26, 2022 6:00 pm

The U.S. job market continues to show signs of steady improvement. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 31 states reported a statistically significant reduction in unemployment in February 2022, and no states reported an increase.

Falling unemployment monthly unemployment in much of the country is the continuation of a longer term trend. In every state, the unemployment rate is lower now than it was the same time last year, by anywhere from 0.5 to 4.7 percentage points. These improvements are attributable in large part to job gains. It is important to note, however, that other factors, including a surge in early retirements are also contributing to lower jobless rates. Here is a look at the state where the most people are quitting their jobs.

Using data from the BLS, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed the February 2022 unemployment rate in each state. Depending on the state, monthly jobless rates range from 5.6% down to 2.1%. For context, the national unemployment rate stands at 3.8%.

For all but a handful of states, the COVID-19 pandemic pushed unemployment rates to all-time highs. For many of these states, economic fallout from the pandemic hit at a time when joblessness stood at historic lows.

Now, in most states, the unemployment rate is either at, or within a single percentage point, of its lowest level since the data series began in 1976. Here is a look at the states where job openings are surging.

Click here to see the states with the highest unemployment last month

Alabama
> Feb. 2022 unemployment rate: 3.0% (14th lowest)
> 1-month change: -0.1 percentage points
> 1-yr. change: -0.8 percentage points
> All-time high unemployment rate: 14.9% (Jan. 1983)
> All-time low unemployment rate: 2.9% (Sept. 2019)

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Alaska
> Feb. 2022 unemployment rate: 5.4% (3rd highest)
> 1-month change: -0.2 percentage points
> 1-yr. change: -1.6 percentage points
> All-time high unemployment rate: 11.9% (May 2020)
> All-time low unemployment rate: 5.2% (Mar. 2020)

ALSO READ: States with the Most Job Openings

Arizona
> Feb. 2022 unemployment rate: 3.6% (22nd lowest)
> 1-month change: -0.1 percentage points
> 1-yr. change: -2.4 percentage points
> All-time high unemployment rate: 13.9% (Apr. 2020)
> All-time low unemployment rate: 3.5% (Aug. 2007)

Arkansas
> Feb. 2022 unemployment rate: 3.1% (15th lowest)
> 1-month change: -0.1 percentage points
> 1-yr. change: -1.7 percentage points
> All-time high unemployment rate: 10.1% (Mar. 1983)
> All-time low unemployment rate: 3.1% (Feb. 2022)

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California
> Feb. 2022 unemployment rate: 5.4% (3rd highest)
> 1-month change: -0.3 percentage points
> 1-yr. change: -3.2 percentage points
> All-time high unemployment rate: 16.1% (May 2020)
> All-time low unemployment rate: 4.0% (Mar. 2020)

Colorado
> Feb. 2022 unemployment rate: 4.0% (23rd highest)
> 1-month change: -0.2 percentage points
> 1-yr. change: -2.2 percentage points
> All-time high unemployment rate: 11.8% (May 2020)
> All-time low unemployment rate: 2.4% (May 2017)

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Connecticut
> Feb. 2022 unemployment rate: 4.9% (8th highest)
> 1-month change: -0.4 percentage points
> 1-yr. change: -2.3 percentage points
> All-time high unemployment rate: 11.4% (May 2020)
> All-time low unemployment rate: 2.0% (Aug. 2000)

24/7 Wall St.
States Where Job Openings Are Surging

Delaware
> Feb. 2022 unemployment rate: 4.6% (14th highest)
> 1-month change: -0.2 percentage points
> 1-yr. change: -1.1 percentage points
> All-time high unemployment rate: 13.3% (May 2020)
> All-time low unemployment rate: 2.8% (May 1988)

Florida
> Feb. 2022 unemployment rate: 3.3% (18th lowest)
> 1-month change: -0.2 percentage points
> 1-yr. change: -2.3 percentage points
> All-time high unemployment rate: 13.9% (May 2020)
> All-time low unemployment rate: 2.4% (June 2006)

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Georgia
> Feb. 2022 unemployment rate: 3.2% (16th lowest)
> 1-month change: None
> 1-yr. change: -1.4 percentage points
> All-time high unemployment rate: 12.3% (Apr. 2020)
> All-time low unemployment rate: 3.2% (Feb. 2022)

Hawaii
> Feb. 2022 unemployment rate: 4.3% (18th highest)
> 1-month change: None
> 1-yr. change: -3.0 percentage points
> All-time high unemployment rate: 22.4% (Apr. 2020)
> All-time low unemployment rate: 1.9% (Nov. 2019)

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Idaho
> Feb. 2022 unemployment rate: 2.8% (10th lowest)
> 1-month change: -0.2 percentage points
> 1-yr. change: -1.2 percentage points
> All-time high unemployment rate: 11.8% (Apr. 2020)
> All-time low unemployment rate: 2.8% (Feb. 2022)

24/7 Wall St.
States Where the Most People Are Quitting Their Jobs

Illinois
> Feb. 2022 unemployment rate: 4.8% (9th highest)
> 1-month change: -0.2 percentage points
> 1-yr. change: -2.1 percentage points
> All-time high unemployment rate: 17.4% (Apr. 2020)
> All-time low unemployment rate: 3.6% (Dec. 2019)

Indiana
> Feb. 2022 unemployment rate: 2.3% (3rd lowest)
> 1-month change: -0.1 percentage points
> 1-yr. change: -2.0 percentage points
> All-time high unemployment rate: 16.8% (Apr. 2020)
> All-time low unemployment rate: 2.3% (Feb. 2022)

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Iowa
> Feb. 2022 unemployment rate: 3.5% (20th lowest)
> 1-month change: -0.2 percentage points
> 1-yr. change: -0.9 percentage points
> All-time high unemployment rate: 10.5% (Apr. 2020)
> All-time low unemployment rate: 2.4% (July 2018)

Kansas
> Feb. 2022 unemployment rate: 2.5% (4th lowest)
> 1-month change: -0.1 percentage points
> 1-yr. change: -1.1 percentage points
> All-time high unemployment rate: 12.2% (Apr. 2020)
> All-time low unemployment rate: 2.5% (Feb. 2022)

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Kentucky
> Feb. 2022 unemployment rate: 4.2% (20th highest)
> 1-month change: -0.2 percentage points
> 1-yr. change: -0.5 percentage points
> All-time high unemployment rate: 16.5% (Apr. 2020)
> All-time low unemployment rate: 4.0% (Jan. 2020)

24/7 Wall St.
States With the Largest Drop in Unemployment

Louisiana
> Feb. 2022 unemployment rate: 4.3% (18th highest)
> 1-month change: None
> 1-yr. change: -2.0 percentage points
> All-time high unemployment rate: 13.5% (Apr. 2020)
> All-time low unemployment rate: 3.9% (Nov. 2007)

Maine
> Feb. 2022 unemployment rate: 4.0% (23rd highest)
> 1-month change: -0.1 percentage points
> 1-yr. change: -0.6 percentage points
> All-time high unemployment rate: 9.2% (May 2020)
> All-time low unemployment rate: 2.6% (June 2019)

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Maryland
> Feb. 2022 unemployment rate: 5.0% (6th highest)
> 1-month change: -0.4 percentage points
> 1-yr. change: -0.7 percentage points
> All-time high unemployment rate: 9.5% (May 2020)
> All-time low unemployment rate: 3.1% (May 2019)

Massachusetts
> Feb. 2022 unemployment rate: 4.7% (12th highest)
> 1-month change: -0.1 percentage points
> 1-yr. change: -2.0 percentage points
> All-time high unemployment rate: 17.1% (Apr. 2020)
> All-time low unemployment rate: 2.7% (Nov. 2000)

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Michigan
> Feb. 2022 unemployment rate: 4.7% (12th highest)
> 1-month change: -0.2 percentage points
> 1-yr. change: -1.6 percentage points
> All-time high unemployment rate: 22.7% (Apr. 2020)
> All-time low unemployment rate: 3.2% (Feb. 2000)

ALSO READ: States With the Highest Annual Unemployment

Minnesota
> Feb. 2022 unemployment rate: 2.7% (8th lowest)
> 1-month change: -0.2 percentage points
> 1-yr. change: -1.2 percentage points
> All-time high unemployment rate: 10.8% (May 2020)
> All-time low unemployment rate: 2.5% (Mar. 1999)

Mississippi
> Feb. 2022 unemployment rate: 4.5% (15th highest)
> 1-month change: -0.1 percentage points
> 1-yr. change: -2.0 percentage points
> All-time high unemployment rate: 15.4% (Apr. 2020)
> All-time low unemployment rate: 4.5% (Feb. 2022)

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Missouri
> Feb. 2022 unemployment rate: 3.7% (23rd lowest)
> 1-month change: -0.1 percentage points
> 1-yr. change: -1.2 percentage points
> All-time high unemployment rate: 11.2% (Apr. 2020)
> All-time low unemployment rate: 2.9% (July 2019)

Montana
> Feb. 2022 unemployment rate: 2.6% (5th lowest)
> 1-month change: -0.1 percentage points
> 1-yr. change: -1.1 percentage points
> All-time high unemployment rate: 12.2% (Apr. 2020)
> All-time low unemployment rate: 2.6% (Feb. 2022)

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Nebraska
> Feb. 2022 unemployment rate: 2.1% (the lowest)
> 1-month change: -0.1 percentage points
> 1-yr. change: -0.6 percentage points
> All-time high unemployment rate: 8.2% (Apr. 2020)
> All-time low unemployment rate: 2.1% (Feb. 2022)

ALSO READ: States with the Most Job Openings

Nevada
> Feb. 2022 unemployment rate: 5.1% (5th highest)
> 1-month change: -0.1 percentage points
> 1-yr. change: -4.7 percentage points
> All-time high unemployment rate: 28.5% (Apr. 2020)
> All-time low unemployment rate: 3.7% (Aug. 2019)

New Hampshire
> Feb. 2022 unemployment rate: 2.7% (8th lowest)
> 1-month change: -0.2 percentage points
> 1-yr. change: -1.3 percentage points
> All-time high unemployment rate: 16.2% (Apr. 2020)
> All-time low unemployment rate: 2.1% (June 1987)

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New Jersey
> Feb. 2022 unemployment rate: 4.6% (14th highest)
> 1-month change: -0.5 percentage points
> 1-yr. change: -2.6 percentage points
> All-time high unemployment rate: 15.8% (May 2020)
> All-time low unemployment rate: 3.2% (June 2019)

New Mexico
> Feb. 2022 unemployment rate: 5.6% (the highest)
> 1-month change: -0.3 percentage points
> 1-yr. change: -1.7 percentage points
> All-time high unemployment rate: 10.5% (Mar. 1983)
> All-time low unemployment rate: 3.5% (Sept. 2007)

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New York
> Feb. 2022 unemployment rate: 4.9% (8th highest)
> 1-month change: -0.4 percentage points
> 1-yr. change: -3.5 percentage points
> All-time high unemployment rate: 16.5% (May 2020)
> All-time low unemployment rate: 3.7% (June 2019)

ALSO READ: States Where Job Openings Are Surging

North Carolina
> Feb. 2022 unemployment rate: 3.7% (23rd lowest)
> 1-month change: -0.2 percentage points
> 1-yr. change: -1.7 percentage points
> All-time high unemployment rate: 14.2% (Apr. 2020)
> All-time low unemployment rate: 3.1% (Mar. 1999)

North Dakota
> Feb. 2022 unemployment rate: 2.9% (11th lowest)
> 1-month change: -0.2 percentage points
> 1-yr. change: -1.6 percentage points
> All-time high unemployment rate: 8.3% (Apr. 2020)
> All-time low unemployment rate: 2.0% (Dec. 2019)

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Ohio
> Feb. 2022 unemployment rate: 4.2% (20th highest)
> 1-month change: -0.1 percentage points
> 1-yr. change: -1.6 percentage points
> All-time high unemployment rate: 16.4% (Apr. 2020)
> All-time low unemployment rate: 3.8% (Mar. 2001)

Oklahoma
> Feb. 2022 unemployment rate: 2.6% (5th lowest)
> 1-month change: -0.1 percentage points
> 1-yr. change: -2.2 percentage points
> All-time high unemployment rate: 12.6% (Apr. 2020)
> All-time low unemployment rate: 2.6% (Feb. 2022)

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Oregon
> Feb. 2022 unemployment rate: 4.0% (23rd highest)
> 1-month change: -0.2 percentage points
> 1-yr. change: -2.2 percentage points
> All-time high unemployment rate: 13.3% (Apr. 2020)
> All-time low unemployment rate: 3.4% (Feb. 2020)

ALSO READ: States Where the Most People Are Quitting Their Jobs

Pennsylvania
> Feb. 2022 unemployment rate: 5.1% (5th highest)
> 1-month change: -0.3 percentage points
> 1-yr. change: -2.2 percentage points
> All-time high unemployment rate: 16.5% (Apr. 2020)
> All-time low unemployment rate: 4.1% (Apr. 2000)

Rhode Island
> Feb. 2022 unemployment rate: 3.9% (25th highest)
> 1-month change: -0.3 percentage points
> 1-yr. change: -2.2 percentage points
> All-time high unemployment rate: 18.4% (Apr. 2020)
> All-time low unemployment rate: 2.7% (May 1988)

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South Carolina
> Feb. 2022 unemployment rate: 3.5% (20th lowest)
> 1-month change: None
> 1-yr. change: -0.9 percentage points
> All-time high unemployment rate: 12.1% (Dec. 2009)
> All-time low unemployment rate: 2.4% (Sept. 2019)

South Dakota
> Feb. 2022 unemployment rate: 2.6% (5th lowest)
> 1-month change: -0.2 percentage points
> 1-yr. change: -0.6 percentage points
> All-time high unemployment rate: 8.8% (Apr. 2020)
> All-time low unemployment rate: 2.4% (Apr. 2000)

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Tennessee
> Feb. 2022 unemployment rate: 3.4% (19th lowest)
> 1-month change: -0.1 percentage points
> 1-yr. change: -1.6 percentage points
> All-time high unemployment rate: 15.9% (Apr. 2020)
> All-time low unemployment rate: 3.3% (Aug. 2019)

24/7 Wall St.
States With the Largest Drop in Unemployment

Texas
> Feb. 2022 unemployment rate: 4.7% (12th highest)
> 1-month change: -0.1 percentage points
> 1-yr. change: -1.9 percentage points
> All-time high unemployment rate: 12.6% (Apr. 2020)
> All-time low unemployment rate: 3.4% (Jan. 2020)

Utah
> Feb. 2022 unemployment rate: 2.1% (the lowest)
> 1-month change: -0.1 percentage points
> 1-yr. change: -1.0 percentage points
> All-time high unemployment rate: 10.0% (Apr. 2020)
> All-time low unemployment rate: 2.1% (Feb. 2022)

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Vermont
> Feb. 2022 unemployment rate: 2.9% (11th lowest)
> 1-month change: -0.1 percentage points
> 1-yr. change: -1.0 percentage points
> All-time high unemployment rate: 14.3% (Apr. 2020)
> All-time low unemployment rate: 2.1% (May 2019)

Virginia
> Feb. 2022 unemployment rate: 3.2% (16th lowest)
> 1-month change: -0.1 percentage points
> 1-yr. change: -1.4 percentage points
> All-time high unemployment rate: 11.6% (Apr. 2020)
> All-time low unemployment rate: 2.1% (Nov. 2000)

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Washington
> Feb. 2022 unemployment rate: 4.3% (18th highest)
> 1-month change: -0.1 percentage points
> 1-yr. change: -1.8 percentage points
> All-time high unemployment rate: 16.8% (Apr. 2020)
> All-time low unemployment rate: 3.9% (Feb. 2020)

ALSO READ: States With the Highest Annual Unemployment

West Virginia
> Feb. 2022 unemployment rate: 3.9% (25th highest)
> 1-month change: -0.2 percentage points
> 1-yr. change: -1.9 percentage points
> All-time high unemployment rate: 18.4% (Mar. 1983)
> All-time low unemployment rate: 3.9% (Feb. 2022)

Wisconsin
> Feb. 2022 unemployment rate: 2.9% (11th lowest)
> 1-month change: -0.1 percentage points
> 1-yr. change: -1.5 percentage points
> All-time high unemployment rate: 14.1% (Apr. 2020)
> All-time low unemployment rate: 2.9% (Feb. 2022)

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Wyoming
> Feb. 2022 unemployment rate: 3.7% (23rd lowest)
> 1-month change: -0.1 percentage points
> 1-yr. change: -1.3 percentage points
> All-time high unemployment rate: 9.1% (Jan. 1987)
> All-time low unemployment rate: 2.3% (May 1979)

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