Indiana's February unemployment rate below national average

The unemployment rate of the State of Indiana in February was recorded to be 3.3% according to the Indiana Department of Workforce Development.

By comparison, the national unemployment rate reported for February was 4.4%.

In addition, Indiana’s labor force participation rate is 63.4% compared to the national rate of 62.0%. This rate is the percentage of Hoosiers 16-and-older that are either working or actively looking for work.

Those not in the labor force include, primarily, students, retirees and other non-working populations, such as individuals unable to work due to a disability or illness, or adults responsible for their family's childcare needs.

Indiana’s total labor force stands at 3,498,263.

February 2026 total private employment is 2,833,400, an increase of 3,400 since January. 

Industries that experienced job increases this month included:

• Private Educational & Health Services (+2,800)
• Manufacturing (+2,400)
• Leisure & Hospitality (+400)
• Financial Activities (+300)
• All Other (+100)

As of February 28, there were 85,672 open job postings throughout the state.

As of the week ending on March 7, Indiana had 24,518 continued unemployment insurance claims filed.

Individuals looking for work, training or career information are encouraged to visit in.gov/dwd/job-seekers.

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