US manufacturing employment is down, but each state has its own story

From last May to this May, manufacturing employment decreased by 0.4%. This number may seem small, but it’s a nationwide figure that can hide considerable variation across US states. So, in the FRED map above, we show state-specific numbers for manufacturing employment as of May 2026. Most states are in negative territory, which is not surprising when the national number indicates a decrease. And, at the state level, a factory or two opening or closing can have a big impact, especially if the state is small or doesn’t have a large manufacturing base to begin with. Here are the highlights:

Twelve states grew, including Rhode Island (+1.5%), Louisiana (+2%), and Connecticut (+3%). Three states didn’t change at all (0% growth). The rest of the states declined, some by quite a bit: Nebraska (-4.6%), Virginia (-4.9%), Alaska (-5.6%), and the District of Columbia (-9.1%).

How this map was created: Search FRED for “manufacturing employment” and pick any seasonally adjusted, state-level series. Then click on the map button, followed by the “Edit map” button. Change the units to “Percent change from year ago,” the data group by “User defined method,” setting values at -4, -2, 0, 2, and 4. Change colors for each category according to your taste. Suggested by Christian Zimmermann.