Two new data tools from the Maryland Department of Labor break down how federal workforce shifts are hitting Maryland.
According to the Maryland Department of Labor, Maryland has the second-highest concentration of federal employees in the nation, which means Maryland can be uniquely affected by federal actions. Whether it’s government shutdowns, funding disruptions, or federal layoffs, the effects are felt by thousands of workers and their families in every county. T
o help make sense of these impacts and support decision-making at the state and local level, the Maryland Department of Labor has just released two valuable new resources:
Fast Facts: Maryland’s Federal Workforce
This snapshot offers a concise, data-rich look at the size and scope of the federal workforce in Maryland.
The federal government is the largest employer in Maryland. Hundreds of thousands of Maryland jobs are located at a federal agency or federal contractor. Ongoing layoffs and contracting disruptions pose a significant challenge to Maryland’s economy. This document presents highlights of the federal government’s impact on Maryland’s workforce.
It includes key baseline figures, such as:
- Number of federal civilian jobs in Maryland
- Number of Maryland residents employed by the federal government
- Average annual earnings for federal civilian jobs in Maryland
- Estimated number of Maryland federal contractors
- Estimated federal contract dollars spent in Maryland; and
- Percent of Maryland’s GDP from the federal government.
The resource also breaks down the data by county — highlighting that federal employment reaches into every corner of the state, not just the DC suburbs.
How Federal Actions Are Impacting Maryland Employment: High-Frequency Indicators
This second resource focuses on real-time employment shifts, especially in response to federal layoffs and budget instability. The weekly-updated document tracks initial unemployment insurance (UI) claims across Maryland, separating out:
- Claims from federal employees, through the UCFE (Unemployment Compensation for Federal Employees) program
- Claims from federal contractors and other workers affected by federal funding disruptions
With easy-to-read charts and trend lines, this tool offers a pulse check on how federal employment changes are affecting Maryland’s broader workforce — from federal offices to local main streets. It also includes a helpful FAQ section to clarify how UI data is collected and reported, especially given the complexities around who qualifies and how claims are filed.
Access these new resources through MD Labor’s UI metrics webpage.
