From December 2024 to March 2025, Kentucky saw a net increase of 6,917 private-sector jobs, according to data released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The report shows that gross job gains from opening and expanding private-sector establishments reached 88,175, while gross job losses from closing and contracting establishments totaled 81,258.
Regional Commissioner Victoria G. Lee stated that the difference between gross job gains and losses resulted in the net employment gain during the first quarter of 2025. In contrast, the previous quarter saw gross job losses outnumbering gains by 3,285.
Business Employment Dynamics (BED) statistics measure changes in employment at private businesses each quarter. These figures reflect both expansions and contractions at existing establishments as well as openings and closings.
In Kentucky for the first quarter of 2025, gross job gains represented 5.2 percent of private-sector employment; this is slightly below the national figure of 5.6 percent. Expanding establishments contributed to most of these gains with an increase of 186 jobs compared to the previous quarter, totaling 72,762 new positions. Jobs created by opening establishments declined by 1,394 from the prior period to reach 15,413.
Gross job losses accounted for 4.8 percent of Kentucky’s private-sector employment in this period; nationally this share was higher at 5.4 percent. Contracting establishments in Kentucky lost a total of 68,021 jobs—a decrease of more than ten thousand compared to the previous quarter—while closing businesses shed another 13,237 jobs.
The majority of industry sectors reported more job gains than losses during this time frame. Professional and business services experienced the largest net increase with a gain of 4,127 jobs—stemming from gross job gains of 17,587 against losses totaling 13,460. Retail trade posted a net gain of 1,733 jobs and education and health services added a net total of 1,622 positions. Leisure and hospitality was an exception among sectors with a net loss amounting to 1,400 jobs.
The BED data series provides detailed information on gross job gains and losses across industries for all states as well as territories such as Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Data are also broken down by employer size class at the firm level.
The next release covering Business Employment Dynamics for the second quarter of 2025 is scheduled for February 26, 2026.
“The BED data are compiled by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) from existing QCEW records,” according to information provided in today’s release.
More details about definitions used in this report can be found on the Business Employment Dynamics homepage or through their technical note resources.
