Section 3: Employment - Compendium (2025)

Employment to Population Ratio

Tables 3.1: In 2023, of the 22,158,000 individuals with disabilities ages 18 to 64 years living in the community, 10,252,000 individuals were employed (46.3%). In contrast, of the 177,483,000 individuals without disabilities ages 18 to 64 years living in the community, 141,016,000 individuals were employed (79.5%). The percentage of people with disabilities employed was highest in South Dakota/SD, 61.1% and lowest in Puerto Rico/PR, 32.4%. The state with the greatest disparity in employment of people with and without disabilities was West Virginia/WV, with a relative ratio of 0.494 (the further this value is from 1.00, the greater the disparity in employment between those with and without disabilities). Table 3.1 Employment to Population Ratio - Civilians with and without Disabilities Ages 18 to 64 Years Living in the Community by Employment Status for the United States and States: 2023

Tables 3.2: In 2023, of the 4,041,000 individuals with hearing disabilities ages 18 to 64 years living in the community, 2,384,000 individuals were employed (59%). In contrast, of the 195,600,000 individuals without hearing disabilities ages 18 to 64 years living in the community, 148,885,000 individuals were employed (76.1%). The percentage of people with hearing disabilities employed was highest in South Dakota/SD, 75.2% and lowest in Puerto Rico/PR, 34.6%. The state with the greatest disparity in employment of people with and without hearing disabilities was Puerto Rico/PR, with a relative ratio of 0.579 (the further this value is from 1.00, the greater the disparity in employment between those with and without hearing disabilities). Table 3.2 Employment to Population Ratio - Civilians with and without Hearing Disabilities Ages 18 to 64 Years Living in the Community by Employment Status for the United States and States: 2023

Tables 3.3: In 2023, of the 4,270,000 individuals with vision disabilities ages 18 to 64 years living in the community, 2,228,000 individuals were employed (52.2%). In contrast, of the 195,372,000 individuals without vision disabilities ages 18 to 64 years living in the community, 149,041,000 individuals were employed (76.3%). The percentage of people with vision disabilities employed was highest in Montana/MT, 65.9% and lowest in Kentucky/KY, 40.0%. The state with the greatest disparity in employment of people with and without vision disabilities was Kentucky/KY, with a relative ratio of 0.544 (the further this value is from 1.00, the greater the disparity in employment between those with and without vision disabilities). Table 3.3 Employment to Population Ratio - Civilians with and without Vision Disabilities Ages 18 to 64 Years Living in the Community by Employment Status for the United States and States: 2023

Tables 3.4: In 2023, of the 10,666,000 individuals with cognitive disabilities ages 18 to 64 years living in the community, 4,326,000 individuals were employed (40.6%). In contrast, of the 188,976,000 individuals without cognitive disabilities ages 18 to 64 years living in the community, 146,942,000 individuals were employed (77.8%). The percentage of people with cognitive disabilities employed was highest in South Dakota/SD, 57.0% and lowest in Puerto Rico/PR, 21.3%. The state with the greatest disparity in employment of people with and without cognitive disabilities was Puerto Rico/PR, with a relative ratio of 0.342 (the further this value is from 1.00, the greater the disparity in employment between those with and without cognitive disabilities). Table 3.4 Employment to Population Ratio - Civilians with and without Cognitive Disabilities Ages 18 to 64 Years Living in the Community by Employment Status for the United States and States: 2023

Tables 3.5: In 2023, of the 8,621,000 individuals with ambulatory disabilities ages 18 to 64 years living in the community, 2,651,000 individuals were employed (30.7%). In contrast, of the 191,020,000 individuals without ambulatory disabilities ages 18 to 64 years living in the community, 148,617,000 individuals were employed (77.8%). The percentage of people with ambulatory disabilities employed was highest in South Dakota/SD, 38.8% and lowest in Maine/ME, 21.9%. The state with the greatest disparity in employment of people with and without ambulatory disabilities was Maine/ME, with a relative ratio of 0.275 (the further this value is from 1.00, the greater the disparity in employment between those with and without ambulatory disabilities). Table 3.5 Employment to Population Ratio - Civilians with and without Ambulatory Disabilities Ages 18 to 64 Years Living in the Community by Employment Status for the United States and States: 2023

Tables 3.6: In 2023, of the 3,328,000 individuals with self-care disabilities ages 18 to 64 years living in the community, 592,000 individuals were employed (17.8%). In contrast, of the 196,314,000 individuals without self-care disabilities ages 18 to 64 years living in the community, 150,676,000 individuals were employed (76.8%). The percentage of people with self-care disabilities employed was highest in Montana/MT, 34.0% and lowest in Vermont/VT, 8.1%. The state with the greatest disparity in employment of people with and without self-care disabilities was Vermont/VT, with a relative ratio of 0.102 (the further this value is from 1.00, the greater the disparity in employment between those with and without self-care disabilities). Table 3.6 Employment to Population Ratio - Civilians with and without Self-Care Disabilities Ages 18 to 64 Years Living in the Community by Employment Status for the United States and States: 2023

Tables 3.7: In 2023, of the 7,868,000 individuals with independent living disabilities ages 18 to 64 years living in the community, 1,948,000 individuals were employed (24.8%). In contrast, of the 191,773,000 individuals without independent living disabilities ages 18 to 64 years living in the community, 149,321,000 individuals were employed (77.9%). The percentage of people with independent living disabilities employed was highest in Kansas/KS, 40.5% and lowest in Puerto Rico/PR, 10.4%. The state with the greatest disparity in employment of people with and without independent living disabilities was Puerto Rico/PR, with a relative ratio of 0.168 (the further this value is from 1.00, the greater the disparity in employment between those with and without independent living disabilities). Table 3.7 Employment to Population Ratio - Civilians with and without Independent Living Disabilities Ages 18 to 64 Years Living in the Community by Employment Status for the United States and States: 2023

Table 3.8: In 2023, people with disabilities were 3.9% more likely to be employed, when compared to the previous year. Table 3.8 Change in Employment Percentage - Civilians Ages 18 to 64 Years, with a Disability, Living in the Community for the United States and States: 2022 to 2023

Labor Force Participation

Tables 3.9: In 2023, of the 22,158,000 individuals with disabilities ages 18 to 64 years living in the community, 11,303,000 individuals were in the labor force (51%). In contrast, of the 177,483,000 individuals without disabilities ages 18 to 64 years living in the community, 146,712,000 individuals were in the labor force (82.7%). The percentage of people in the labor force with disabilities was highest in District of Columbia/DC, 66.0% and lowest in Puerto Rico/PR, 37.3%. The state with the greatest disparity in labor force participation of people with and without disabilities was West Virginia/WV, with a relative ratio of 0.506 (the further this value is from 1.00, the greater the disparity in labor force participation is between those with and without disabilities). Table 3.9 Labor Force Participation - Civilians with and without Disabilities Ages 18 to 64 Years Living in the Community by Employment Status for the United States and States: 2023

Tables 3.10: In 2023, of the 4,041,000 individuals with hearing disabilities ages 18 to 64 years living in the community, 2,531,000 individuals were in the labor force (62.6%). In contrast, of the 195,600,000 individuals without hearing disabilities ages 18 to 64 years living in the community, 155,484,000 individuals were in the labor force (79.5%). The percentage of people in the labor force with hearing disabilities was highest in Utah/UT, 77.0% and lowest in Puerto Rico/PR, 37.9%. The state with the greatest disparity in labor force participation of people with and without hearing disabilities was Puerto Rico/PR, with a relative ratio of 0.576 (the further this value is from 1.00, the greater the disparity in labor force participation is between those with and without hearing disabilities). Table 3.10 Labor Force Participation - Civilians with and without Hearing Disabilities Ages 18 to 64 Years Living in the Community by Employment Status for the United States and States: 2023

Tables 3.11: In 2023, of the 4,270,000 individuals with vision disabilities ages 18 to 64 years living in the community, 2,422,000 individuals were in the labor force (56.7%). In contrast, of the 195,372,000 individuals without vision disabilities ages 18 to 64 years living in the community, 155,593,000 individuals were in the labor force (79.6%). The percentage of people in the labor force with vision disabilities was highest in District of Columbia/DC, 69.4% and lowest in Kentucky/KY, 43.6%. The state with the greatest disparity in labor force participation of people with and without vision disabilities was Kentucky/KY, with a relative ratio of 0.568 (the further this value is from 1.00, the greater the disparity in labor force participation is between those with and without vision disabilities). Table 3.11 Labor Force Participation - Civilians with and without Vision Disabilities Ages 18 to 64 Years Living in the Community by Employment Status for the United States and States: 2023

Tables 3.12: In 2023, of the 10,666,000 individuals with cognitive disabilities ages 18 to 64 years living in the community, 4,952,000 individuals were in the labor force (46.4%). In contrast, of the 188,976,000 individuals without cognitive disabilities ages 18 to 64 years living in the community, 153,062,000 individuals were in the labor force (81%). The percentage of people in the labor force with cognitive disabilities was highest in District of Columbia/DC, 69.5% and lowest in Puerto Rico/PR, 27.1%. The state with the greatest disparity in labor force participation of people with and without cognitive disabilities was Puerto Rico/PR, with a relative ratio of 0.397 (the further this value is from 1.00, the greater the disparity in labor force participation is between those with and without cognitive disabilities). Table 3.12 Labor Force Participation - Civilians with and without Cognitive Disabilities Ages 18 to 64 Years Living in the Community by Employment Status for the United States and States: 2023

Tables 3.13: In 2023, of the 8,621,000 individuals with ambulatory disabilities ages 18 to 64 years living in the community, 2,941,000 individuals were in the labor force (34.1%). In contrast, of the 191,020,000 individuals without ambulatory disabilities ages 18 to 64 years living in the community, 155,074,000 individuals were in the labor force (81.2%). The percentage of people in the labor force with ambulatory disabilities was highest in District of Columbia/DC, 52.2% and lowest in Maine/ME, 23.9%. The state with the greatest disparity in labor force participation of people with and without ambulatory disabilities was Maine/ME, with a relative ratio of 0.29 (the further this value is from 1.00, the greater the disparity in labor force participation is between those with and without ambulatory disabilities). Table 3.13 Labor Force Participation - Civilians with and without Ambulatory Disabilities Ages 18 to 64 Years Living in the Community by Employment Status for the United States and States: 2023

Tables 3.14: In 2023, of the 3,328,000 individuals with self-care disabilities ages 18 to 64 years living in the community, 685,000 individuals were in the labor force (20.6%). In contrast, of the 196,314,000 individuals without self-care disabilities ages 18 to 64 years living in the community, 157,330,000 individuals were in the labor force (80.1%). The percentage of people in the labor force with self-care disabilities was highest in South Dakota/SD, 37.4% and lowest in Puerto Rico/PR, 13.1%. The state with the greatest disparity in labor force participation of people with and without self-care disabilities was Vermont/VT, with a relative ratio of 0.174 (the further this value is from 1.00, the greater the disparity in labor force participation is between those with and without self-care disabilities). Table 3.14 Labor Force Participation - Civilians with and without Self-Care Disabilities Ages 18 to 64 Years Living in the Community by Employment Status for the United States and States: 2023

Tables 3.15: In 2023, of the 7,868,000 individuals with independent living disabilities ages 18 to 64 years living in the community, 2,300,000 individuals were in the labor force (29.2%). In contrast, of the 191,773,000 individuals without independent living disabilities ages 18 to 64 years living in the community, 155,715,000 individuals were in the labor force (81.2%). The percentage of people in the labor force with independent living disabilities was highest in Colorado/CO, 45.5% and lowest in Puerto Rico/PR, 14.1%. The state with the greatest disparity in labor force participation of people with and without independent living disabilities was Puerto Rico/PR, with a relative ratio of 0.206 (the further this value is from 1.00, the greater the disparity in labor force participation is between those with and without independent living disabilities). Table 3.15 Labor Force Participation - Civilians with and without Independent Living Disabilities Ages 18 to 64 Years Living in the Community by Employment Status for the United States and States: 2023

Table 3.16: In 2023, people with disabilities were 3.8% more likely to be in the labor force, when compared to the previous year. Table 3.16 Change in Labor Force Participation Percentage - Civilians Ages 18 to 64 Years, with a Disability, Living in the Community for the United States and States: 2022 to 2023

Unemployment Rate

Tables 3.17: In 2023, of the 11,303,000 individuals with disabilities ages 18 to 64 years living in the community, 1,051,000 individuals were unemployed (9.3%). In contrast, of the 146,712,000 individuals without disabilities ages 18 to 64 years living in the community, 5,696,000 individuals were unemployed (3.9%). The unemployment rate of people with disabilities was highest in District of Columbia/DC, 18.0% and lowest in South Dakota/SD, 2.2%. The state with the greatest disparity in unemployment rate of people with and without disabilities was North Dakota/ND, with a relative ratio of 7.071 (the further this value is from 1.00, the greater the disparity in unemployment rate is between those with and without disabilities). Table 3.17 Unemployment Rate - Civilians with and without Disabilities Ages 18 to 64 Years Living in the Community by Employment Status for the United States and States: 2023

Tables 3.18: In 2023, of the 2,531,000 individuals with hearing disabilities ages 18 to 64 years living in the community, 148,000 individuals were unemployed (5.8%). In contrast, of the 155,484,000 individuals without hearing disabilities ages 18 to 64 years living in the community, 6,599,000 individuals were unemployed (4.2%). The unemployment rate of people with hearing disabilities was highest in Hawaii/HI, 9.3% and lowest in Vermont/VT, 0.0%. The state with the greatest disparity in unemployment rate of people with and without hearing disabilities was Delaware/DE, with a relative ratio of 2.962 (the further this value is from 1.00, the greater the disparity in unemployment rate is between those with and without hearing disabilities). Table 3.18 Unemployment Rate - Civilians with and without Hearing Disabilities Ages 18 to 64 Years Living in the Community by Employment Status for the United States and States: 2023

Tables 3.19: In 2023, of the 2,422,000 individuals with vision disabilities ages 18 to 64 years living in the community, 194,000 individuals were unemployed (8%). In contrast, of the 155,593,000 individuals without vision disabilities ages 18 to 64 years living in the community, 6,552,000 individuals were unemployed (4.2%). The unemployment rate of people with vision disabilities was highest in Hawaii/HI, 14.6% and lowest in Montana/MT, 0.4%. The state with the greatest disparity in unemployment rate of people with and without vision disabilities was North Dakota/ND, with a relative ratio of 5.059 (the further this value is from 1.00, the greater the disparity in unemployment rate is between those with and without vision disabilities). Table 3.19 Unemployment Rate - Civilians with and without Vision Disabilities Ages 18 to 64 Years Living in the Community by Employment Status for the United States and States: 2023

Tables 3.20: In 2023, of the 4,952,000 individuals with cognitive disabilities ages 18 to 64 years living in the community, 627,000 individuals were unemployed (12.7%). In contrast, of the 153,062,000 individuals without cognitive disabilities ages 18 to 64 years living in the community, 6,120,000 individuals were unemployed (4%). The unemployment rate of people with cognitive disabilities was highest in District of Columbia/DC, 24.0% and lowest in South Dakota/SD, 3.8%. The state with the greatest disparity in unemployment rate of people with and without cognitive disabilities was North Dakota/ND, with a relative ratio of 11.013 (the further this value is from 1.00, the greater the disparity in unemployment rate is between those with and without cognitive disabilities). Table 3.20 Unemployment Rate - Civilians with and without Cognitive Disabilities Ages 18 to 64 Years Living in the Community by Employment Status for the United States and States: 2023

Tables 3.21: In 2023, of the 2,941,000 individuals with ambulatory disabilities ages 18 to 64 years living in the community, 290,000 individuals were unemployed (9.9%). In contrast, of the 155,074,000 individuals without ambulatory disabilities ages 18 to 64 years living in the community, 6,456,000 individuals were unemployed (4.2%). The unemployment rate of people with ambulatory disabilities was highest in District of Columbia/DC, 30.9% and lowest in Delaware/DE, 2.9%. The state with the greatest disparity in unemployment rate of people with and without ambulatory disabilities was District of Columbia/DC, with a relative ratio of 6.364 (the further this value is from 1.00, the greater the disparity in unemployment rate is between those with and without ambulatory disabilities). Table 3.21 Unemployment Rate - Civilians with and without Ambulatory Disabilities Ages 18 to 64 Years Living in the Community by Employment Status for the United States and States: 2023

Tables 3.22: In 2023, of the 685,000 individuals with self-care disabilities ages 18 to 64 years living in the community, 92,000 individuals were unemployed (13.5%). In contrast, of the 157,330,000 individuals without self-care disabilities ages 18 to 64 years living in the community, 6,654,000 individuals were unemployed (4.2%). The unemployment rate of people with self-care disabilities was highest in District of Columbia/DC, 43.8% and lowest in Delaware/DE, 0.0%. The state with the greatest disparity in unemployment rate of people with and without self-care disabilities was Vermont/VT, with a relative ratio of 14.649 (the further this value is from 1.00, the greater the disparity in unemployment rate is between those with and without self-care disabilities). Table 3.22 Unemployment Rate - Civilians with and without Self-Care Disabilities Ages 18 to 64 Years Living in the Community by Employment Status for the United States and States: 2023

Tables 3.23: In 2023, of the 2,300,000 individuals with independent living disabilities ages 18 to 64 years living in the community, 352,000 individuals were unemployed (15.3%). In contrast, of the 155,715,000 individuals without independent living disabilities ages 18 to 64 years living in the community, 6,395,000 individuals were unemployed (4.1%). The unemployment rate of people with independent living disabilities was highest in District of Columbia/DC, 28.5% and lowest in Delaware/DE, 1.2%. The state with the greatest disparity in unemployment rate of people with and without independent living disabilities was Vermont/VT, with a relative ratio of 6.723 (the further this value is from 1.00, the greater the disparity in unemployment rate is between those with and without independent living disabilities). Table 3.23 Unemployment Rate - Civilians with and without Independent Living Disabilities Ages 18 to 64 Years Living in the Community by Employment Status for the United States and States: 2023

Table 3.24: In 2023, people with disabilities were -0.2% less likely to be in the labor force, when compared to the previous year. Table 3.24 Change in Unemployment Rate - Civilians Ages 18 to 64 Years, with a Disability, Living in the Community for the United States and States: 2022 to 2023

Table 3.1 Employment to Population Ratio - Civilians with and without Disabilities Ages 18 to 64 Years Living in the Community by Employment Status for the United States and States: 2023

Table 3.2 Employment to Population Ratio - Civilians with and without Hearing Disabilities Ages 18 to 64 Years Living in the Community by Employment Status for the United States and States: 2023

Table 3.3 Employment to Population Ratio - Civilians with and without Vision Disabilities Ages 18 to 64 Years Living in the Community by Employment Status for the United States and States: 2023

Table 3.4 Employment to Population Ratio - Civilians with and without Cognitive Disabilities Ages 18 to 64 Years Living in the Community by Employment Status for the United States and States: 2023

Table 3.5 Employment to Population Ratio - Civilians with and without Ambulatory Disabilities Ages 18 to 64 Years Living in the Community by Employment Status for the United States and States: 2023

Table 3.6 Employment to Population Ratio - Civilians with and without Self-Care Disabilities Ages 18 to 64 Years Living in the Community by Employment Status for the United States and States: 2023

Table 3.7 Employment to Population Ratio - Civilians with and without Independent Living Disabilities Ages 18 to 64 Years Living in the Community by Employment Status for the United States and States: 2023

Table 3.8 Change in Employment Percentage - Civilians Ages 18 to 64 Years, with a Disability, Living in the Community for the United States and States: 2022 to 2023

Table 3.9 Labor Force Participation - Civilians with and without Disabilities Ages 18 to 64 Years Living in the Community by Employment Status for the United States and States: 2023

Table 3.10 Labor Force Participation - Civilians with and without Hearing Disabilities Ages 18 to 64 Years Living in the Community by Employment Status for the United States and States: 2023