The state's April unemployment rate was 3.9 percent (seasonally adjusted), down slightly from 4.1 percent in March. The April 2024 rate was 4.0 percent. Indiana had 3.34 million employed persons in April in a labor force of 3.476 million people. In March, the state had 3.34 million workers in a labor force of 3.46 million. A year ago, the numbers were 3.31 million of 3.43 million.

The U.S. unemployment rate was 4.2 percent in April (seasonally adjusted), the same as March. A year ago, the national rate was 3.9 percent. In April, the U.S. had 164.04 million employed persons in a labor force of 170.6 million. The previous month those numbers were 163.4 million of 170.65 million. A year earlier, the U.S. had 161.6 million workers in a labor force of 167.48 million.

The unemployment rates for surrounding counties in April were Jasper 3.1 percent, Starke 4.0, Marshall 2.8, Fulton 3.2, Cass 3.7 and White 3.0 (all lower than the previous month).

Howard County (6.0 percent) again had the state's highest unemployment rate in April, followed by Lake (4.4 percent), and Starke (4.0 percent) counties. Along with Starke neighboring Cass County was among the 15 counties with highest unemployment. Pulaski County was among four counties at 2.4 percent, ranking them with the state's 11th lowest unemployment rate of the 92 counties. Union and Daviess counties (at 2.1 percent), had the state's lowest unemployment rate in April.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), sub-state level data are not seasonally adjusted due to sample size. For example, over the course of a year, the size of the labor force, employment and unemployment levels, and other measures of labor market undergo fluctuations due to seasonal events including changes in weather, harvests, major holidays, and school schedules. Therefore, for more accurate comparisons, data should be compared to the same month from prior years, not the previous month, as to better account for non-economic factors.

April 2025 Indiana Employment Report

INDIANAPOLIS (May 21) - The unemployment rate of the State of Indiana in April was recorded to be 3.9 percent, according to the Indiana Department of Workforce Development. By comparison, the national unemployment rate reported for April was 4.2 percent.

In addition, Indiana’s labor force participation rate is 63.7 percent compared to the national rate of 62.6 percent. This rate is the percentage of Hoosiers 16 and older who 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 3,483,930.

April 2025 total private employment is 2,840,200 an increase of 4,800 from the previous month. 

Industries that experienced job increases this month included:

• Trade, Transportation & Utilities (+2,700)
• Private Educational & Health Services (+2,200)
• Professional & Business Services (+1,100)
• Financial Activities (+400)

As of May 1, 2025, there were 88,613 open job postings throughout the state. As of the week ending on April 26, 2025, Indiana had 21,736 continued unemployment insurance claims filed.

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