The state’s seasonally adjusted March 2024 unemployment rate was 3.5 percent, unchanged from February’s revised rate. The national rate decreased 0.1 of a percentage point to 3.8 percent.
North Carolina’s unemployment rate increased 0.2 of a percentage point from a year ago. The number of people employed increased 3,280 over the month to 5,074,635 and increased 39,323 over the year. The number of people unemployed increased 1,098 over the month to 185,549 and increased 11,489 over the year.
Seasonally adjusted Total Nonfarm employment, as gathered through the monthly establishment survey, increased 500 to 4,978,000 in March. Major industries experiencing increases were Leisure & Hospitality Services, 1,900; Construction, 1,800; Education & Health Services, 1,800; Financial Activities, 600; Information, 500; and Mining & Logging, 100. Major industries experiencing decreases were Trade, Transportation & Utilities, 2,100; Professional & Business Services, 1,800; Government, 1,200; Other Services, 700; and Manufacturing, 400.
Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates since March 2023
| Area | Mar 2023 | Apr 2023 | May 2023 | June 2023 | July 2023 | August 2023 | Sep 2023 | Oct 2023 | Nov 2023 | Dec 2023 | Jan 2024 | Feb 2023 | Mar 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| N.C. | 3.3 | 3.3 | 3.3 | 3.4 | 3.4 | 3.5 | 3.6 | 3.6 | 3.6 | 3.6 | 3.5 | 3.5 | 3.5 |
| U.S. | 3.5 | 3.4 | 3.7 | 3.6 | 3.5 | 3.8 | 3.8 | 3.8 | 3.7 | 3.7 | 3.7 | 3.9 | 3.8 |
* Please note: 2023 numbers have undergone annual revision *
Since March 2023, Total Nonfarm jobs increased 57,300 with the Total Private sector increasing by 43,600 and Government increasing by 13,700. Major industries experiencing increases were Education & Health Services, 23,300; Government, 13,700; Leisure & Hospitality Services, 10,700; Construction, 9,000; Financial Activities, 7,300; Other Services, 4,200; and Mining & Logging, 200. Major industries experiencing decreases were Manufacturing, 5,300; Information, 2,700; Trade, Transportation & Utilities, 2,500; and Professional & Business Services, 600.
The next unemployment update is scheduled for Wednesday, May 1, 2024 when the county unemployment rates for March 2024 will be released.