A sign attracts job-seekers during a job fair at the Marriott Hotel in Colonie, N.Y. Unemployment rates fell in 29 states in August and held steady in 11 as hiring remained solid nationwide. Falling oil and coal prices continued to take a toll on energy-producing states.

A sign attracts job-seekers during a job fair at the Marriott Hotel in Colonie, N.Y. Unemployment rates fell in 29 states in August and held steady in 11 as hiring remained solid nationwide. Falling oil and coal prices continued to take a toll on energy-producing states.

Jobless rates fall in 29 states in August amid job gains

WASHINGTON — Unemployment rates fell in 29 states in August and held steady in 11 as hiring remained solid nationwide. Falling oil and coal prices continued to take a toll on energy-producing states.

The Labor Department said Friday that rates rose in the remaining 10 states. Employers added jobs in 32 states and shed them in 18.

Oil prices that are sharply lower than a year ago contributed to job losses and higher unemployment in several states, including Alaska, North Dakota, and Texas. And falling demand for coal has devastated West Virginia, which has the nation’s highest unemployment rate at 7.6 percent. That is up from 7.5 percent in July.

South Dakota reported the largest percentage loss of jobs last month. Texas, meanwhile, shed 13,700 positions, the most of any state except New York, which lost the same amount.

Nationwide, employers added 173,000 jobs in August, while the national unemployment rate fell to 5.1 percent from 5.3 percent.

The state unemployment report comes a day after the Federal Reserve decided against raising short-term interest rates, citing threats to the U.S. economy from weak growth in China and the persistence of very low inflation.

Tara Sinclair, chief economist for the jobs website Indeed, said the state data supports the Fed’s decision to delay. Ongoing lower rates could help spur further hiring.

Sinclair says that 36 states still have higher unemployment rates than they did before the Great Recession began in December 2007. And 14 have rates much higher than the 5 percent that the Fed says is consistent with a healthy economy, including Alabama, Arizona, California and North Carolina.

“These results are in line with the Fed’s holding off on an interest rate hike yesterday,” Sinclair said.

Unemployment in California, the largest state by population, remains elevated at 6.1 percent, though that is down sharply from 7.4 percent a year ago. Alaska’s unemployment rate is 6.6 percent, down only modestly from 6.9 percent a year ago.

Nebraska continued as the state with the nation’s lowest jobless rate, though it rose to 2.8 percent from 2.7 percent the previous month. North Dakota has the second-lowest, at 2.9 percent, down from 3 percent the previous month.

Still, North Dakota, which has benefited from a boom in oil and gas drilling, is one of three states to lose jobs in the past year. The other two are West Virginia and Alaska.

The states with the biggest job gains in August were California, with 36,200; Florida, with 19,600; and Ohio, with 14,600.

More in News

The Norwegian Bliss arrives in Juneau on Monday, April 14, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire file photo)
Ships in port for the week of June 15

This information comes from the Cruise Line Agencies of Alaska’s 2025 schedule.… Continue reading

In this still image from a video provided to the Alaska Beacon, the cruise ship Celebrity Edge (at right) is seen drifting toward the Carnival Luminosa (at left). Three other cruise ships are seen moored to the Juneau docks. (Video screenshot)
Coast Guard investigates storm-caused near-collision between two cruise ships in Juneau

The U.S. Coast Guard is investigating a near-collision between two cruise ships… Continue reading

A ferry worker ties up the Hubbard on Sunday, April 21, 2024, as it docks in Haines, Alaska. (Rashah McChesney / Chilkat Valley News)
Weekend ferry cancellation complicates travel for bike relay, solstice

A ferry cancellation will affect travel plans for some participants of the… Continue reading

Chris Storey shows where he found an incapacitated man in an embankment along Glacier Highway in Lemon Creek during the early morning hours of Monday, June 16, 2025. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Man who collapses near roadside rescued in early morning hours by passerby

Chris Storey, a former adult care worker who was homeless until April, assists man in distress.

Families write messages in chalk outside the governor's mansion on Friday, June 13, 2025. (Natalie Buttner / Juneau Empire)
Chalking up education funding outrage on the sidewalk at the governor’s mansion

Families protest Dunleavy’s vetoes to education funding with colorful pictures and words.

Boats at Douglas Harbor under mostly clear skies on Sunday, June 15, 2025. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
80°F in Juneau will trigger first-ever National Weather Service heat advisories

Officials say sun’s angle in Alaska makes temperatures feel higher compared to other states.

Christina Love leads the audience in raising their fist, symbolizing telling the truth despite fear on Saturday, June 14, 2025. (Natalie Buttner / Juneau Empire)
Juneau joins nation in ‘No Kings’ protest

More than 1,000 protestors join millions nationwide opposing Trump as he presides over military parade.

A row of tents on Teal Street across the street from the Glory Hall on the morning of Saturday, May 14, 2025. Occupants of the tents received a 48-hour vacate notice from the Juneau Police Department on Friday morning. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Large homeless encampment on Teal Street gets JPD vacate notice; where will occupants go next?

People who keep moving from place to place under “dispersed camping” policy unsure where they’ll go.

Volunteers look for trash on the Jordan Avenue sidewalk at JAMHI’s Community Litter Pickup event on Saturday, June 14, 2025. (Ellie Ruel / Juneau Empire)
JAMHI hosts community cleanup to kick off 40th anniversary celebration

Local addiction and mental health treatment organization plans summer of events and give-back days.

Most Read