²ÝÝ®´«Ã½

DC still has highest unemployment rate, despite strong job growth

When compared to states, the District had the highest unemployment rate in March, at 6%, though that was down from 6.1% in February, and 6.6% a year earlier.

As of March, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports D.C. had an annual job growth rate of 4.8%, among the largest year-over-year gains compared to states. In the past year, the District added about 35,000 jobs.



Maryland’s unemployment rate in March was 4.6%, down from 5% in February and 5.7% a year earlier. Maryland’s annual job growth rate was 3.1%, gaining about 82,000 jobs in the past year.

Virginia’s March unemployment rate was 3%, down from 3.2% in February and 4.5% a year earlier. Virginia’s annual job growth rate in March was 2.8%, with roughly 109,000 more jobs than March 2021.

The National unemployment rate in March was 3.6%. All unemployment rates are seasonally adjusted.

All 50 states and D.C. had lower unemployment rates than a year earlier.

Nebraska and Utah tied for the lowest state unemployment rates in March, at 2%. After D.C., New Mexico had the highest unemployment rate at 5.3%.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics posts monthly unemployment states and changes in .

Jeff Clabaugh

Jeff Clabaugh has spent 20 years covering the Washington region's economy and financial markets for ²ÝÝ®´«Ã½ as part of a partnership with the Washington Business Journal, and officially joined the ²ÝÝ®´«Ã½ newsroom staff in January 2016.

Federal ²ÝÝ®´«Ã½ Network Logo
Log in to your ²ÝÝ®´«Ã½ account for notifications and alerts customized for you.