INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana’s unemployment rate in August stands at 2.8%, according to the Indiana Department of Workforce Development (DWD). By comparison, the national unemployment rate in August stands at 3.7%.
The Hoosier labor force participation rate rose again, from 63.3% in July to 63.4% in August, above the national rate of 62.4%. It is Indiana’s highest participation rate since February 2020. The state’s total labor force stands at 3,401,693, an increase of 7,761 from July, second only in history to November 2019.
Private sector employment for Hoosiers increased by 600 jobs over the last month, translating to a gain of 81,900 jobs from this time last year. Indiana once again is experiencing a peak in private employment, which now stands at 2,766,600.
Industries that experienced job increases in August included:
- Trade, Transportation and Utilities (+4,400);
- Leisure and Hospitality (+2,500);
- Manufacturing (+600); and
- Private Educational and Health Services (+600).
DWD says that as of September 6, there were 145,304 open job postings throughout the state. In August, 16,409 people in Indiana received unemployment benefits.