Maryland added 3,200 jobs in March, according to new estimates released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The state’s unemployment rate remained steady at 4.3 percent, matching the national rate. Despite a loss of 600 federal jobs, Maryland’s job growth has outperformed national trends through the first three months of 2026, adding 6,800 total jobs year-to-date.
Employment gains were concentrated in Construction, which added 2,000 jobs, and Health Care and Social Assistance, which added 1,100 jobs. Construction has added 300 jobs overall in 2026 and 1,900 jobs over the past year. Health Care and Social Assistance has been even stronger, adding 4,900 jobs so far this year. During the Moore-Miller administration, Maryland’s employment growth in this sector has outpaced the national rate (13.7 percent in Maryland versus 12.6 percent nationally).
Southern Maryland continues to benefit from these trends. Calvert, Charles and St. Mary’s counties are home to Naval Air Station Patuxent River, one of the region’s largest employers, along with expanding health care facilities and ongoing construction projects. The area’s economy relies heavily on federal jobs, defense contracting, health services and residential development.
The five sectors with the largest estimated employment gains in March were Construction (2,000 jobs), Health Care and Social Assistance (1,100 jobs), Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation (1,000 jobs), Manufacturing (800 jobs), and Private Educational Services (500 jobs).
The six sectors with the largest estimated employment losses were Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services (-1,400 jobs), Other Services (-600 jobs), Finance and Insurance (-200 jobs), Real Estate and Rental and Leasing (-200 jobs), Accommodation and Food Services (-200 jobs), and Government (a net loss of 200 jobs due to a drop in federal employment of 600 jobs and a gain in state and local government of 400 jobs).
The data is transferred to the Maryland Department of Labor’s website directly from BLS servers. For the most immediate access, visit the BLS website.
