Challenger tracks job cuts by company headquarters location, unless an announcement specifies the geographic location of the layoffs.
So far in 2025, the East region has experienced the largest year-over-year increase in job cuts, rising 219% from 136,149 in 2024 to 434,385. This dramatic surge is primarily driven by major reductions at Federal agencies which are counted in Washington, D.C. New Jersey jumped from 5,776 to 26,695 YTD (a 362% increase), and New York rose 43% from 53,053 to 76,038. Meanwhile, several states saw steep declines: Connecticut fell 82%, from 7,986 to 1,440; Vermont dropped 52%; and Massachusetts declined 33%, but it is likely Federal reductions occurred in these states as well.
The Midwest region saw a modest 8.7% increase in job cuts, from 82,279 in 2024 to 89,444 in 2025. Trends varied significantly by state. Ohio saw the largest increase, more than doubling from 18,802 to 37,938 (up 102%), while Nebraska jumped over 500% from 753 to 4,869. On the other hand, Illinois fell 11%, Indiana declined 68%, and Wisconsin dropped 69%.
In the West region, job cuts rose 11%, from 182,290 in 2024 to 202,686 in 2025. California led the region with 114,676 cuts this year, up 50% from 76,639 last year. Arizona also posted a 52% increase. However, some states saw major declines: Nevada and Oregon each dropped by roughly 79% and 61% respectively, while Utah fell 44%, and Hawaii dropped 52%. Washington saw a 48% increase, rising from 17,887 to 26,524.
The South region reported a 34% increase in job cuts, rising from 59,812 in 2024 to 79,868 in 2025. Georgia experienced one of the sharpest increases, rising 72% from 16,298 to 28,068. Florida also saw a notable jump, with cuts increasing 70%, and Alabama more than doubled, climbing from 2,702 to 6,530. By contrast, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia all saw small year-over-year declines