Maryland’s workforce declined by 3,200 jobs in August 2025

Loss includes 2,500 federal government jobs

BALTIMORE, MD (September 19, 2025) - Maryland's workforce decreased by 3,200 jobs in August, according to new estimates released today by the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). This decrease in jobs was due to a reported decline of 2,000 private sector jobs and a decline of 1,200 public sector jobs.

Driving that public sector decrease was a loss of another 2,500 federal jobs in August, tempered by slight increases in state and local public sector jobs. Including August's decline, Maryland has lost 15,100 federal jobs since January 2025.

Since the beginning of the Moore-Miller administration, Maryland has gained a total of 96,000 jobs. This rate of job growth is faster than the nation as a whole (3.5 percent vs 3.1 percent).

BLS reported that Maryland's unemployment rate increased from 3.4 percent to 3.6 percent in August. August's reported unemployment rate is lower than the national rate (3.6 percent vs 4.3 percent).

The five sectors with the largest employment gains in August were: Construction (2,700 jobs); Accommodation and Food Services (1,400 jobs); Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services (600 jobs); Private Educational Services (500); and Real Estate and Rental and Leasing (300 jobs).

The five sectors with the largest estimated employment losses in August were: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services (-1,900 jobs); Other Services (-1,700 jobs); Government (-1,200 jobs); Health Care and Social Assistance (-1,100 jobs); and Manufacturing (-1,100 jobs).

Note: Data is transferred to the Maryland Department of Labor's website directly from BLS servers. Our database may be refreshed with a brief lag. For more immediate access to this month's jobs data, please visit the BLS website. Please visit the Maryland Department of Labor's website to view the current employment situation.

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The Maryland Department of Labor strives to create an equitable and inclusive Maryland where all residents have the opportunities and resources to attain financial stability, reach their career potential, and contribute to their communities; where businesses have access to capital and the skilled workforce they need to succeed; where workplaces are safe and well-regulated; and where the economy is resilient and growing. For updates and information, follow MD Labor on LinkedIn , Instagram , Twitter , Facebook , and visit our website .

MEDIA CONTACT:
Dinah Winnick