HAGȦTÑA, Guam (Office of the Guam Governor) — Good news on the Labor front. Guam’s unemployment rate has dropped to another record low in the last three decades.
The Leon Guerrero-Tenorio Administration reports the island’s unemployment rate has dipped to 3.1%, a drop of 0.4 percentage points from September when it stood at 3.5 percent and an overall decrease of 0.8 percentage points since December 2024 when it stood at 3.9 percent.
At the same time, the size of Guam’s labor force has held steady, indicating that more residents are working rather than leaving the job market.
The well-established trend has Acting Gov. Josh Tenorio looking to the future. “These numbers show that our investments in workforce training are helping more residents secure stable, career-building jobs,” he said.
Tenorio, who is on record advocating for establishment of a vocational-technical school at Southern High added, “We know what jobs are in demand today and working with private sector employers, the military, and listening to investors who have expressed an interest in Guam, we know what jobs to prepare people for. Career track jobs that will strengthen our island’s future.”
Guam Department of Labor officials emphasize that the low unemployment rate confirms what many employers are experiencing: there are fewer available workers for open positions, particularly at the entry level.
Rather than focusing resources on basic job placement where abundant openings already exist, GDOL is prioritizing investments in training and apprenticeships that move residents into higher-paying, harder-to-fill positions.
“This 3.1% unemployment rate really validates what employers have been telling us, they’re having a hard time finding workers,” said GDOL Director David Dell’Isola. “You see ‘Now Hiring’ signs everywhere. For those who simply want a job, there are plenty of opportunities out there.”
Employment gains were recorded in construction, accommodations, retail trade, and transportation. GDOL notes that workforce initiatives such as Registered Apprenticeship Programs, on-the-job training, and other support services have helped jobseekers overcome barriers to employment and fill critical workforce gaps.
Speaking from the SelectUSA Summit in Washington, D.C., Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero said, “The partnership between employers, training providers, and the Guam Department of Labor has and will continue to be essential to reaching full employment. Aligning training with the real needs of our economy, from construction and health care to hospitality and public service—we’re building a stronger workforce and a stronger Guam.”
Chief Economist Gary Hiles noted that while certain sectors have seen increased activity, the benefits to local workers depend heavily on training and workforce development.
“Guam’s economy got a boost in the fourth quarter of calendar year 2025 with an increase in construction and a rebound in tourist arrivals,” Hiles said. “Total visitor arrivals increased by 42% in December 2025 compared to December 2024, as documented by the Guam Visitors Bureau. This supported more jobs in construction and tourism-related industries, particularly hotels. However, the extent to which local workers benefit depends on their ability to access the training and skills required for these positions.”
The Guam Department of Labor will continue to expand its Registered Apprenticeship Program, on-the-job training opportunities, career counseling, and supportive services — such as transportation and childcare assistance to help more residents enter and remain in the workforce and transition into higher-skill, higher-wage careers.
The Unemployment Situation Report is available at bls.guam.gov/.
For more information, contact the Guam Department of Labor at 671-475-7000/1 or visit dol.guam.gov.
