Maryland was one of nine states and Washington, D.C., to lose jobs in the 12 months ending September 2026, shedding approximately 13,900 nonfarm jobs, or 0.5% of its workforce. Federal workforce reductions appear to have contributed to losses across Maryland, Virginia and D.C., while states such as South Carolina, Louisiana and Nevada recorded job growth during the same period.
A 10-year pattern: According to BLS and Seidman Research Institute data, Maryland has lagged national job growth in nine of the past 10 years. Recent federal workforce reductions have further compounded the challenge, given the state’s significant reliance on federal employment, but the underlying trend predates those cuts and has persisted for years.
