Challenger tracks job cuts by company headquarters location, unless an announcement specifies the geographic location of the layoffs.
The East region continues to experience the largest year-over-year increase in job cuts, rising 193% from 166,060 in 2024 to 487,049 in 2025. This surge is driven by reductions at Federal agencies counted in Washington, D.C., where cuts jumped 759%, from 34,788 last year to 298,901 this year. New Jersey posted one of the sharpest state-level increases, climbing 449% from 11,524 to 63,217, while New York rose 24% from 65,070 to 80,428. By contrast, several states saw declines: Massachusetts fell 31%, Vermont slipped 5%, and Connecticut declined 82%.
The Midwest has seen essentially flat job cuts compared to last year, totaling 102,838 in 2025 versus 102,168 in 2024. Ohio reported the largest increase, climbing 76% from 22,651 to 39,847, while Nebraska spiked more than 500% from 753 to 5,032. Meanwhile, Wisconsin dropped 64%, Indiana fell 49%, and Michigan declined 34%.
In the West, job cuts dipped slightly, totaling 261,097 in 2025 compared to 266,716 in 2024. California drove the largest share, rising 13% from 127,997 to 144,528. Arizona also posted a notable increase of 78%, while Washington nearly doubled, up 95% from 19,310 to 37,550. However, several states saw steep declines: Texas fell 34%, Nevada dropped 75%, and Oregon declined 61%.
The South reported the steepest percentage growth, rising 29% from 74,298 in 2024 to 95,442 in 2025. Georgia jumped 80% from 17,422 to 31,339, while Florida saw a 73% increase from 11,897 to 20,550. Alabama also more than doubled, rising 118% from 3,250 to 7,089. By contrast, several states saw modest declines: North Carolina (–11%), South Carolina (–28%), Tennessee (–33%), and Arkansas (–63%).