Jobless Rate Drops to 3.3%; Private Employment Still Rising

Indiana’s unemployment rate in February fell one-tenth of one percent from the previous month, according to a delayed report from the Indiana Department of Workforce Development.

The national unemployment rate in February was 4.4%.

Indiana’s labor force participation rate was 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 was 3,498,263.

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

Industries that experienced job increases in February included:

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

As of February 28, 2026, there were 85,672 online job postings throughout the state.