MONTPELIER – The Vermont Department of Labor released data on the Vermont economy September 19, for the time period covering August 2025. According to household data, the seasonally-adjusted statewide unemployment rate for August was 2.5 percent. This reflects a decrease of one-tenth of one percentage point from the prior month’s revised estimate. The civilian labor force participation rate was 64.6 percent in August, a decrease of one-tenth of one percentage point from the prior month’s revised estimate.
“Over the past seven months, an estimated 5,000 Vermonters have left the labor force, in part due to retirements. While demographic shifts present real challenges, this is also an opportunity to continue connecting Vermonters with good jobs, training, and career pathways,” said Kendal Smith, Vermont Department of Labor Commissioner. “Vermont’s economy depends on a strong and engaged workforce, which means we all have a role to play in building it. There are many ways to retain talent and draw more people to Vermont, including housing solutions, education transformation, service opportunities, and everyday training and job support.”
The Vermont seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate decreased to 2.5 percent in August. The comparable United States rate in August was 4.3 percent, an increase of one-tenth of one percentage point from the revised July estimate. The seasonally-adjusted Vermont data for August show the Vermont civilian labor force decreased by 910 from the prior month’s revised estimate. The number of employed persons decreased by 838 and the number of unemployed persons decreased by 72. No changes were statistically significant in the seasonally-adjusted series.
The August unemployment rates for Vermont’s 14 counties ranged from 2.4 percent in Addison and Chittenden Counties to 3.6 percent in Essex County (note: county unemployment rates are not seasonally-adjusted). For comparison, the August unadjusted unemployment rate for Vermont was 2.6 percent, an increase of one-tenth of one percentage point from the revised unadjusted July level and an increase of two-tenths of one percentage point from a year ago.
218Vermont first quarter 2025 county employment and wage data released in August showed wage levels for the 13 smaller counties outside Chittenden were below the national average. Washington reported the highest average weekly wage ($1,336). Essex reported the lowest average weekly wage ($959) in the state.
Wages fell in all four area counties, with employment growing only in Caledonia County, while it fell in the others.
Caledonia County employment was 10,976 in March, up by 205 from December, with wages down by $45 to $1,076 from December’s $1,131.
March employment in Lamoille County was down to 12,761 from 12,933 in December and wages fell by $59 since December, to $1,133.
Orleans County employment fell by 371 to 10,499 in March, with wages falling by $93 since December, to $964.
In Washington County, employment fell to 33,134, down 538 from December, with wages down by $39 since December, to $1,336.
