Florida led the nation last month, for adding more jobs in a single month than any other state. Florida added nearly 30,000 jobs throughout the month of May, followed by New York with nearly 28,000 and North Carolina with almost 19,000.
The state's unemployment rate dropped to 4.3 percent in May, a slight decline from April's rate of 4.5 percent. Florida's unemployment rate is now even with the national rate.
Jobs rose across a total of nine states, and unemployment rates in four states fell to record lows.
The Labor Department says the states with the largest percentage gains in jobs were Alaska, Alabama and Louisiana. The nation's capital, Washington D.C., recorded an even larger gain.
Overall, the figures suggest that steady, if slower, hiring this year is improving the job market in many states.
Arkansas' unemployment rate dropped to 3.4 percent in May, a record low.
Mississippi, Oregon and Washington state also reported record lows, all dating back to 1976.