
North Carolina's unemployment rate has been on a steady decline, with a current rate of 3.6% as of 2022. This is a significant drop from the 2010 peak of 11.3%.
The state's economy is driven by major industries such as technology, healthcare, and finance, which have been consistently growing and creating new job opportunities. A total of 1.2 million jobs were added in the state between 2010 and 2022.
The unemployment rate in North Carolina is lower than the national average, indicating a strong and stable economy. This trend is expected to continue, with a projected growth rate of 2% in the next year.
The state's major cities, such as Raleigh-Durham and Charlotte, are hubs for innovation and entrepreneurship, attracting businesses and talent from all over the country.
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North Carolina Employment Figures
North Carolina's unemployment rate has been steadily decreasing, with the seasonally adjusted rate dropping to 3.4% in April 2025, the lowest jobless rate since June 1999. This rate was 3.3% in June of that year.
The number of people employed in North Carolina increased by 30,260 in April 2025, with a total of 4.88 million people employed. This is a significant increase from the previous year, with total employment rising by 204,000.
Here are the top 9 counties with the lowest unemployment rates in North Carolina, in April 2025:
The number of people unemployed in North Carolina decreased by over 3,900 in April 2025, with a total of 173,350 people unemployed.
June Figures
North Carolina's unemployment rate increased 0.1 of a percentage point from a year ago. The number of people employed decreased 3,023 over the month to 5,089,852 and decreased 6,560 over the year.
The number of people unemployed increased 464 over the month to 197,019 and increased 5,610 over the year. This indicates a slight rise in unemployment numbers compared to the previous year.
Seasonally adjusted Total Nonfarm employment increased 5,000 to 5,099,200 in June. Major industries experiencing increases were Private Education & Health Services, 3,600; Construction, 2,300; Leisure & Hospitality Services, 2,100; Professional & Business Services, 1,400; Financial Activities, 800; and Government, 400.
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Major industries experiencing decreases were Trade, Transportation & Utilities, 4,000; Manufacturing, 1,300; Information, 100; Other Services, 100; and Mining & Logging, 100. The Total Private sector increased by 66,600 and Government increased by 13,600 since June 2024.
Here's a breakdown of the industries that experienced significant changes since June 2024:
These changes indicate a shift in the job market, with some industries experiencing significant growth while others face declines.
Released
In North Carolina, employment figures have been steadily improving over the years. The state's unemployment rate has been trending downward since 2010.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the unemployment rate in North Carolina was 11.0% in June 2010, but by June 2020, it had decreased to 4.9%. This significant drop in unemployment rate is a testament to the state's growing economy.
The state's employment growth rate has also been on the rise, with an average annual growth rate of 2.1% from 2010 to 2020. This is higher than the national average growth rate of 1.8% during the same period.
The services sector has been a major driver of employment growth in North Carolina, accounting for over 80% of the state's employment growth from 2010 to 2020.
Job Market Trends
North Carolina's labor market is showing signs of a slowdown, with the latest data indicating a decrease in job market activity.
The state's unemployment rate remained steady at 3.4% in recent data, a testament to the resilience of the North Carolina economy.
However, economist insights suggest that this stability may be short-lived, with rocky times ahead for the job market.
Despite a flat unemployment rate in May 2022, more workers took on jobs, and fewer people were unemployed, a positive trend in itself.
The data shows that North Carolina's labor market is indeed strong and resilient, but it's essential to keep a close eye on the indicators to predict future trends.
Economic Concerns
North Carolina's unemployment rate has been a topic of interest, with fluctuations in recent months. The state's unemployment rate remained at 3.9% in December 2022.
Economists have expressed concerns about the economy slowing down, with the December 2022 data confirming this trend. The jobless rate has been a reliable indicator of economic health, and this recent plateau is a cause for concern.
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In October, the unemployment rate rose again, marking the third consecutive monthly increase. This uptick in jobless rate is a sign of possible distress in the economy.
Despite these concerns, the job market in North Carolina remains resilient, with the unemployment rate down in 99 counties. This indicates a strong and optimistic outlook for the future.
County-Specific Data
In North Carolina, the labor market is showing signs of slowing down. The latest data on employment indicates a slowdown occurring across the state.
In May, the unemployment rate increased in nearly 9 out of 10 counties, according to the latest figures from the North Carolina Department of Commerce. This suggests a significant shift in the job market.
In fact, 89 counties in North Carolina saw an increase in the unemployment rate in May, indicating a widespread impact on the state's economy.
Buncombe County Ranks Flip
Buncombe County's unemployment rate took a dramatic turn after Helene ravaged western North Carolina.
It went from having the best unemployment rate in the state to the worst.
89 Counties in May

In May, the unemployment rate increased in 89 counties out of North Carolina's 100. This represents nearly 9 out of every 10 counties.
The North Carolina Department of Commerce provided the latest figures on this trend.
Economic Forecasts
North Carolina's unemployment rate remained steady at 3.9% in December 2022, but an economist warns that this could be a sign that the state economy is slowing.
The latest employment data shows that the unemployment rate rose again in October, marking the third consecutive monthly increase, which is a concerning trend.
In a positive note, the job market is still looking bullish for the future, with the unemployment rate down in 99 North Carolina counties.
This mixed message highlights the complexity of the current economic situation, where some areas are thriving while others are struggling.
The unemployment rate remaining under 4% is a relatively low number, but the economist's warning suggests that the state's economy may be experiencing some underlying issues.
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