Challenger tracks job cuts by company headquarters location, unless an announcement specifies the geographic location of the layoffs.
The East region has experienced the largest year-over-year increase in job cuts, rising 224% from 147,368 in 2024 to 477,092 in 2025. This surge is driven by reductions at Federal agencies counted in Washington, D.C., where cuts jumped from 34,526 last year to 294,696 this year. New Jersey posted the sharpest state-level increase, climbing 697% from 7,754 to 61,760, while New York rose 33% from 59,114 to 78,440. By contrast, several states saw declines: Massachusetts fell 31%, Vermont slipped 5%, and Connecticut declined 80%.
The Midwest saw a more moderate increase, with cuts rising 8.3% from 89,664 in 2024 to 97,086 in 2025. Ohio saw an 89% increase from 20,832 to 39,491, while Nebraska spiked more than 500% from 753 to 4,869. On the other hand, several states saw declines: Wisconsin dropped 69%, Indiana fell 48%, and Michigan declined 35%
In the West, job cuts remained essentially flat, totaling 231,969 in 2025 compared to 234,141 in 2024. California drove the largest share, rising 24% from 108,863 to 135,241. Arizona also posted a notable increase of 68%, while Washington rose 54% from 18,531 to 28,614. However, Texas, Nevada, and Oregon posted declines.
The South reported a 32% increase, rising from 65,248 in 2024 to 86,215 in 2025. Georgia nearly doubled, climbing 83% from 16,585 to 30,364, while Florida saw a 65% jump from 11,168 to 18,402. Alabama also more than doubled, rising from 3,250 to 6,824. By contrast, several states saw modest declines: North Carolina (–21%), South Carolina (–31%), Tennessee (–4%), and Virginia (–9%).