The state’s seasonally adjusted April 2024 unemployment rate was 3.5 percent, unchanged from March’s revised rate. The national rate increased 0.1 of a percentage point to 3.9 percent.
North Carolina’s unemployment rate increased 0.2 of a percentage point from a year ago. The number of people employed increased 1,200 over the month to 5,075,803 and increased 28,573 over the year. The number of people unemployed increased 1,202 over the month to 186,723 and increased 14,527 over the year.
Seasonally adjusted Total Nonfarm employment, as gathered through the monthly establishment survey, increased 10,200 to 4,987,900 in April. Major industries experiencing increases were Trade, Transportation & Utilities, 2,700; Government, 2,000; Financial Activities, 1,700; Professional & Business Services, 1,700; Leisure & Hospitality Services, 1,500; Construction, 900; Education & Health Services, 300; and Other Services, 200. Major industries experiencing decreases were Manufacturing, 700; and Information, 100. Mining & Logging employment remained unchanged.
Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates since April 2023
| Area | Apr 2023 | May 2023 | June 2023 | July 2023 | August 2023 | Sep 2023 | Oct 2023 | Nov 2023 | Dec 2023 | Jan 2024 | Feb 2023 | Mar 2024 | Apr 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| N.C. | 3.3 | 3.3 | 3.4 | 3.4 | 3.5 | 3.6 | 3.6 | 3.6 | 3.6 | 3.5 | 3.5 | 3.5 | 3.5 |
| U.S. | 3.4 | 3.7 | 3.6 | 3.5 | 3.8 | 3.8 | 3.8 | 3.7 | 3.7 | 3.7 | 3.9 | 3.8 | 3.9 |
* Please note: 2023 numbers have undergone annual revision *
Since April 2023, Total Nonfarm jobs increased 61,400 with the Total Private sector increasing by 46,000 and Government increasing by 15,400. Major industries experiencing increases were Education & Health Services, 20,100; Government, 15,400; Leisure & Hospitality Services, 13,800; Construction, 9,800; Financial Activities, 7,300; Other Services, 4,200; Professional & Business Services, 2,300; and Mining & Logging, 100. Major industries experiencing decreases were Manufacturing, 5,500; Information, 3,700; and Trade, Transportation & Utilities, 2,400.
The next unemployment update is scheduled for Wednesday, May 29, 2024 when the county unemployment rates for April 2024 will be released.