For the third consecutive month, Maryland logged the lowest state unemployment rate in the nation.
In August the unemployment rate was at 1.7%, down from 1.8% in July and sharply lower than Maryland’s unemployment rate a year earlier of 3.4%, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Maryland’s 1.7% unemployment rate is also a record low.
Maryland trumps Virginia, though Virginia’s unemployment rate remains among the lowest, at 2.5% in August, unchanged from July and down from 2.8% a year earlier.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports unemployment rates in August were higher in 10 states, lower in two and unchanged in the rest. Twenty-five states had jobless rates that were also lower than a year earlier.
The national unemployment rate in August rose .03% to 3.8%.
Just behind Maryland, New Hampshire and Vermont tied for the lowest August unemployment rate at 1.8%.
Nevada had the highest state unemployment rate in August, at 5.4%.
Unemployment rates are seasonally-adjusted.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics posts monthly and annual payroll changes and unemployment rates for states on its website.