Economic News:
May’s economic data offered a mixed but slightly more positive picture of the U.S. economy, with job growth slowing yet outperforming expectations and other indicators showing signs of strain. The Labor Department reported 139,000 new nonfarm payrolls in May—down from April’s revised 147,000 but above the forecasted 130,000—while the unemployment rate held steady at 4.2%. The upbeat jobs report, which followed weaker data from ADP and rising initial jobless claims, helped lift both stocks and Treasury yields. Meanwhile, job openings and hiring picked up in April, suggesting continued labor demand despite the start of broad tariffs under the Trump administration. However, manufacturing activity shrank for the third straight month, with the ISM PMI dropping to 48.5%—its lowest level since November—while services activity also unexpectedly contracted for the first time in nearly a year, registering a PMI of 49.9%. Despite falling demand, prices remained high in both sectors, and while new orders dropped sharply, service sector employment rebounded into expansion territory.
What We’re Showing:
President Trump has championed the idea that a key part of making America great again is bringing back industries that left the country in recent decades. With his tariff-driven trade policy, the White House has promoted “Made in America” as a way to create jobs and boost the economy.
Based on April 2025 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, this map highlights the U.S. states leading and lagging in manufacturing employment.
Key Insights:
Several Southern states have also built strong manufacturing bases. North Carolina (459,300), Georgia (426,500), and Tennessee (364,300) each rank among the top states, supported by industries such as automotive, aerospace, and food processing.
Wisconsin, ranked in the top 10 for total manufacturing employment, stands out for outperforming its size. Although it’s only the 20th most populous state, its manufacturing base remains strong, thanks in part to food and dairy processing. In per capita terms, it’s number one in the nation with 7,763.8 manufacturing jobs for every 100,000 people.
Florida, another top 10 state, has emerged as a growth story. Between 2019 and 2023, the state’s manufacturing employment grew by nearly 10%, highlighting the sector’s expansion in one of the country’s largest economies.
At the other end of the spectrum, Wyoming (10,600 jobs), Alaska (11,900), and Washington, D.C. (1,200) recorded the lowest levels of manufacturing employment. The latter (D.C.) also has the lowest numbers per capita.