How many jobs were added in North Dakota last month?
Refreshed monthly
North Dakota gained 800 jobs in August 2026, ranking it 28th among states in job growth. Those figures come from the Bureau of Labor Statistics' state employment report, which tracks monthly job changes. Job numbers can swing month to month as local economies expand or contract, but over the past five years the state has averaged about 492 new jobs per month. These figures are often revised in later months as more complete data rolls in.
+800
month to month change in number of jobs (August 2026)
28th
rank among states in monthly job growth (August 2026)
August 2026's gain of 800 jobs was the second consecutive month of positive job growth in North Dakota. Monthly job growth was up from the 100 new jobs in July 2026.
During the latest five year period (September 2021 to August 2026), North Dakota gained jobs in 38 out of 60 months. August 2026 had the 25th-highest job growth during this period. The highest gains during this period occurred in January 2023 (+3,800) while job growth was weakest in April 2026 (-2,100).
There were 800 more jobs in August 2026 in North Dakota than the previous month.
Monthly change in nonfarm employment, September 2021–August 2026, seasonally adjusted
Which North Dakota sectors and industries had the best and worst job growth in August 2026?
The three supersectors with the highest job growth in August 2026 were durable goods, arts, entertainment, and recreation, and professional, scientific, and technical services. Durable goods added 300 jobs, arts, entertainment, and recreation gained 300 jobs, while professional, scientific, and technical services added 300. The remaining supersectors either posted smaller gains or lost jobs during the month.
The three lowest-performing supersectors were administrative and support and waste management and remediation services, accommodation and food services, and private educational services. Administrative and support and waste management and remediation services lost 400 jobs in August 2026, while accommodation and food services lost 200 jobs and private educational services lost 200 jobs.
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The health care and social assistance sector gained 300 jobs during August 2026.
Change in jobs since previous month with circle size representing number of sector jobs in North Dakota (August 2026)
How has North Dakota's job growth changed over time?
In 2025, North Dakota lost an average of 258 jobs every month. That's lower than the 2024 average monthly increase of 383, and the lowest since 2020. The 2025 average ranks as fourth-lowest in job growth since 2007.
When excluding the two pandemic-affected years of 2020 and 2021, job growth ranged from a loss of 2,100 on average every month in 2015 to a gain of 2,300 on average every month in 2011.
In 2025, North Dakota lost an average of 258 jobs every month.
Average monthly change in the number of jobs, seasonally adjusted
Job growth among four metro areas primarily in North Dakota during August 2026 ranged from a loss of 200 jobs in the Bismarck, ND area to a gain of 300 jobs in the Minot, ND area.
Monthly job growth, by metro area
Metro areas where at least one of its primary counties are within North Dakota
| Metro area | Change in jobs | |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | +300 | |
| 2. | +0 | |
| 3. | +0 | |
| 4. | -200 |
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Methodology
USAFacts standardizes data, in areas such as time and demographics, to make it easier to understand and compare.
Page sources
USAFacts endeavors to share the most up-to-date information available. We sourced the data on this page directly from government agencies; however, the intervals at which agencies publish updated data vary.
