Unemployment rates in Maryland and Virginia both rose modestly in March, and when compared to states, the District had the second-highest unemployment rate last month.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports Maryland’s unemployment rate was 2.5% in March, up from 2.4% in February, and up significantly from the 2% unemployment rate Maryland registered a year earlier. Maryland had registered the lowest state unemployment rate in the nation for several months, before starting to rise this year.

Virginia’s March unemployment rate fell to 2.9%, from 3% in February, and matched the 2.9% unemployment rate for the state in March 2023.

The District’s unemployment rate in March was 5.2%, up from 5.1% in February and 5.0% in March 2023.

State unemployment rates are seasonally-adjusted.

California had the highest state unemployment rate last month, at 5.3%, almost 1% higher than California’s unemployment rate a year ago.

North Dakota had the lowest state unemployment rate in March, at 2.1% followed by Vermont at 2.2%.

Maryland’s nonfarm payroll in March was about 22,000 more than a year earlier. Virginia’s workforce gained more than 45,000 jobs compared to a year earlier.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics posts monthly state unemployment rates, and changes to civilian workforce by state online.