The state’s seasonally adjusted August 2023 unemployment rate was 3.3 percent, unchanged from July’s revised rate. The national rate increased 0.3 of a percentage point to 3.8 percent.
North Carolina’s unemployment rate decreased 0.6 of a percentage point from a year ago. The number of people employed increased 12,790 over the month to 5,072,983 and increased 103,639 over the year. The number of people unemployed increased 2,183 over the month to 173,576 and decreased 26,778 over the year.
Seasonally adjusted Total Nonfarm employment, as gathered through the monthly establishment survey, increased 17,500 to 4,945,300 in August. Major industries experiencing increases were Trade, Transportation & Utilities, 4,700; Education & Health Services, 4,500; Leisure & Hospitality Services, 3,800; Professional & Business Services, 3,100; Government, 2,500; Information, 1,900; Construction, 400; and Other Services, 200. Major industries experiencing decreases were Manufacturing, 3,200; Financial Activities, 300; and Mining & Logging, 100.
Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates since August 2022
| Area | August 2022 | Sep 2022 | Oct 2022 | Nov 2022 | Dec 2022 | Jan 2023 | Feb 2023 | Mar 2023 | Apr 2023 | May 2022 | June 2023 | July 2023 | August 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| N.C. | 3.9 | 3.9 | 3.9 | 3.9 | 3.8 | 3.8 | 3.6 | 3.5 | 3.4 | 3.4 | 3.3 | 3.3 | 3.3 |
| U.S. | 3.7 | 3.5 | 3.7 | 3.6 | 3.5 | 3.4 | 3.6 | 3.5 | 3.4 | 3.7 | 3.6 | 3.5 | 3.8 |
* Please note: 2022 numbers have undergone annual revision *
Since August 2022, Total Nonfarm jobs increased 117,300 with the Total Private sector increasing by 101,000 and Government increasing by 16,300. Major industries experiencing increases were Leisure & Hospitality Services, 32,600; Education & Health Services, 29,700; Professional & Business Services, 17,200; Government, 16,300; Trade, Transportation & Utilities, 13,200; Other Services, 5,700; Financial Activities, 3,100; and Information, 1,800. Major industries experiencing decreases were Manufacturing, 2,100; Construction, 100; and Mining & Logging, 100.
The next unemployment update is scheduled for Wednesday, September 27, 2023 when the county unemployment rates for August 2023 will be released.