HAGÅTÑA (Office of the Guam Governor) — Guam’s unemployment rate declined to 3.2% in June 2025, a decrease of 0.8% from a year earlier, and 0.7% from December 2024, the lowest ever recorded under the Leon Guerrero-Tenorio Administration, reflecting continued improvement in the labor market and overall employment conditions.
“Although the unemployment rate shows noteworthy improvement, our work to create jobs, put more people into meaningful career pathways, and improve the economy does not stop. We know small businesses continue to struggle,” said acting Gov. Josh Tenorio. “This progress demonstrates our administration’s focus on strengthening the economy and creating opportunities for people to build sustainable careers, but we must remain vigilant to ensure every family benefits from this growth.”
According to the June 2025 Unemployment Situation Report issued by the Guam Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics, the lower rate reflected both a decrease in the number of persons unemployed and a decrease in the number of persons out of the labor force compared to June 2024.
The Current Employment Report further showed that workers on Guam are seeing higher earnings. In comparison to the previous year, average hourly earnings rose from $18.31 to $18.72. In June this year, the Department of Youth Affairs’ Summer Youth Employment Program was included in payroll figures.
“These figures indicate that our innovative approaches to workforce development — starting with our youth — are making a real impact,” Tenorio said. “Through DYA’s Summer Youth Employment Program, we provide paid internships to high school students in partnership with Government of Guam agencies. At the same time, our collaboration with the private sector through the Year-Round In-School Youth Program gives students another pathway to explore careers, build skills, and gain the confidence they need to succeed in Guam’s workforce.”
GDOL Acting Director Gerard Toves pointed to apprenticeship and training opportunities as the proven formula for workforce development. “Our mission is to connect people with opportunities that lead to lasting careers,” said Toves. “Whether it’s through apprenticeship, youth programs, or job readiness training, we are committed to helping workers gain skills they need.”
“Guam’s unemployment rate has been continuing to decline. Since September 2024, Guam’s unemployment rate has declined to a rate below that of the United States average and remained below it. The comparable seasonally unadjusted June 2025 unemployment rate in the U.S. was 4.4%. The U.S. seasonally adjusted unemployment rate has remained in a narrow range of 4.0 percent to 4.2 percent since May 2024,” said Gary Hiles, Chief Economist at GDOL.
The full Unemployment Situation Report and the Current Employment Report are available at bls.guam.gov/.
For more information, contact GDOL at 671-475-7000/1.