The state’s seasonally adjusted September 2023 unemployment rate was 3.4 percent, an increase of 0.1 of a percentage point from August’s revised rate. The national rate remained unchanged at 3.8 percent.
North Carolina’s unemployment rate decreased 0.5 of a percentage point from a year ago. The number of people employed increased 14,985 over the month to 5,087,812 and increased 124,714 over the year. The number of people unemployed increased 3,119 over the month to 176,650 and decreased 26,072 over the year.
Seasonally adjusted Total Nonfarm employment, as gathered through the monthly establishment survey, increased 10,100 to 4,948,400 in September. Major industries experiencing increases were Education & Health Services, 4,900; Professional & Business Services, 3,700; Trade, Transportation & Utilities, 3,400; Information, 1,500; Government, 600; and Mining & Logging, 100. Major industries experiencing decreases were Leisure & Hospitality Services, 1,600; Financial Activities, 1,100; Manufacturing, 900; Construction, 400; and Other Services, 100.
Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates since September 2022
| Area | Sep 2022 | Oct 2022 | Nov 2022 | Dec 2022 | Jan 2023 | Feb 2023 | Mar 2023 | Apr 2023 | May 2022 | June 2023 | July 2023 | August 2023 | Sep 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| N.C. | 3.9 | 3.9 | 3.9 | 3.8 | 3.8 | 3.6 | 3.5 | 3.4 | 3.4 | 3.3 | 3.3 | 3.3 | 3.4 |
| U.S. | 3.5 | 3.7 | 3.6 | 3.5 | 3.4 | 3.6 | 3.5 | 3.4 | 3.7 | 3.6 | 3.5 | 3.8 | 3.8 |
* Please note: 2022 numbers have undergone annual revision *
Since September 2022, Total Nonfarm jobs increased 105,000 with the Total Private sector increasing by 87,800 and Government increasing by 17,200. Major industries experiencing increases were Education & Health Services, 31,000; Leisure & Hospitality Services, 27,900; Government, 17,200; Professional & Business Services, 14,300; Trade, Transportation & Utilities, 11,700; Other Services, 4,300; Information, 2,300; Financial Activities, 200; and Mining & Logging, 100. Major industries experiencing decreases were Construction, 2,300; and Manufacturing, 1,700.
The next unemployment update is scheduled for Wednesday, November 1, 2023, when the county unemployment rates for September 2023 will be released.