Maryland employment rises by 4,500 jobs in January 2026

Maryland added 10,100 jobs in the private sector but faced continued federal government losses

BALTIMORE, MD (April 8, 2026) – New employment estimates released today by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) showed modest employment growth. Maryland added 10,100 private-sector jobs in January 2026. However, these gains were balanced out by losses in the public sector. Federal employment fell by an estimated 5,400 positions, which includes retirements under the deferred resignation program that took effect in December.

Job growth was led by Health Care and Social Assistance, which added 4,300 jobs in January 2026. During the Moore-Miller Administration, Maryland has added 50,100 jobs in this sector, a 13.6 percent growth rate that outperforms the national growth rate of 12.3 percent. Maryland continues to invest in the health and well-being of its residents and recently secured $168 million in federal funding to strengthen health care outcomes for rural Marylanders.

BLS estimates that Maryland’s unemployment rate increased slightly in January to 4.3 percent, in line with the national average.

The five sectors with the largest employment gains in January were: Health Care and Social Assistance (4,300 jobs); Construction (2,400 jobs); Accommodation and Food Services (1,900 jobs); Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services (1,000 jobs); and Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation (900 jobs).

Four sectors experienced employment losses in January: Government (-5,600 jobs); Information (-1,200 jobs); Wholesale Trade (-500 jobs); and Private Educational Services (-100 jobs).

The data released today also includes revisions to employment estimates in 2024 and 2025. Each year, BLS revises their employment estimates to align with other data sources, such as unemployment insurance taxes paid by Maryland businesses. This new data shows that the Trump-Vance Administration’s impacts on Maryland’s economy have been more severe than previously estimated. The new data shows that between January 2023 and January 2025—prior to the Trump-Vance Administration—Maryland’s economy added 89,500 total nonfarm jobs, and added jobs at a faster rate than the nation (3.3 percent growth in Maryland vs 2.3 percent nationwide). However, BLS now estimates that between January 2025 and January 2026—in the first year of the Trump-Vance Administration—Maryland lost 49,300 total jobs.

Due to the federal administration’s actions, federal employment in Maryland fell by 31,100 jobs between January 2025 and January 2026. In addition to the lost income for federal workers, the loss of grants and contracts has significantly harmed Maryland employers, workers, and their families and led to thousands of lost jobs.

Despite these economic headwinds from Washington, Maryland has continued to strengthen the private sector through high-impact investments. A new Sphere venue at National Harbor in Prince George’s County is projected to create 8,000 jobs and generate $1.5 billion in economic development. Additionally, AstraZeneca invested an historic $2 billion to expand manufacturing in Maryland, which will support 2,600 jobs in Frederick and Gaithersburg, and Samsung Biologics opened the company’s first U.S. manufacturing facility in Rockville, retaining more than 500 local jobs.

Note: Data is transferred to the Maryland Department of Labor’s website directly from BLS servers. Our database may be refreshed with a brief lag. For more immediate access to this month's jobs data, please visit the BLS website. Please visit the Maryland Department of Labor's website to view the current employment situation.

-###-

The Maryland Department of Labor strives to create an equitable and inclusive Maryland where all residents have the opportunities and resources to attain financial stability, reach their career potential, and contribute to their communities; where businesses have access to capital and the skilled workforce they need to succeed; where workplaces are safe and well-regulated; and where the economy is resilient and growing. For updates and information, follow MD Labor on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, and visit our website.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Dinah Winnick