May unemployment rate in state still below national average

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

By comparison, the national unemployment rate reported for May was 4.3%.

In addition, Indiana’s labor force participation rate is 63.2% compared to the national rate of 61.8%. 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 3,489,693.

May 2026 total private employment is 2,843,000, an increase of 3,800 since April.

Industries that experienced job increases this month included:

• Construction (+1,800)
• Leisure and Hospitality (+1,700)
• Professional and Business Services (+1,500)
• Trade, Transportation and Utilities (+500)
• Manufacturing (+200)

As of May 31, there were 94,059 open job postings throughout the state.

As of the week ending on June 6, Indiana had 19,068 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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