Unemployment rates continue to fall, and states continue to gain or regain jobs. Maryland’s job growth rate is outpacing Virginia and is one of the strongest in the nation.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports between September 2020 and September 2021, Maryland has added 105,700 jobs, for a job growth rate of 4.1%. In that same period, Virginia had regained 73,000 jobs, for a job growth rate of 1.9%.

The District’s annual job growth rate in September was 16,700, or 2.3%.

Unemployment rates are sharply lower than a year ago. Maryland’s September jobless rate was 5.9%, compared to 7.0% a year earlier. Virginia’s 3.8% unemployment rate in September compares to 6.6% a year ago. D.C.’s unemployment rate last month was 6.5%, compared to 8.7% a year ago.

The national unemployment rate in September was 4.8%.

California and Nevada still have the highest unemployment rates, at 7.5% each in September. Nebraska and Utah had the lowest unemployment rates, at 2.0% and 2.4%.

BLS posts seasonally adjusted monthly unemployment rates and payroll gains online.