The state’s seasonally adjusted August 2024 unemployment rate was 3.8 percent, increasing 0.1 of a percentage point from July’s revised rate. The national rate decreased 0.1 of a percentage point to 4.2 percent.
North Carolina’s unemployment rate increased 0.3 of a percentage point from a year ago. The number of people employed decreased 6,456 over the month to 5,067,497 and increased 2,428 over the year. The number of people unemployed increased 4,127 over the month to 199,637 and increased 16,115 over the year.
Seasonally adjusted Total Nonfarm employment, as gathered through the monthly establishment survey, increased 4,700 to 5,025,200 in August. Major industries experiencing increases were Construction, 1,800; Leisure & Hospitality Services, 1,800; Information, 1,000; Government, 900; Education & Health Services, 400; and Professional & Business Services, 300. Major industries experiencing decreases were Other Services, 500; Trade, Transportation & Utilities, 500; Manufacturing, 300; and Financial Activities, 200. Mining & Logging employment remained unchanged.
Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates since August 2023
| Area | August 2023 | Sep 2023 | Oct 2023 | Nov 2023 | Dec 2023 | Jan 2024 | Feb 2024 | Mar 2024 | Apr 2024 | May 2024 | June 2024 | July 2024 | August 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| N.C. | 3.5 | 3.6 | 3.6 | 3.6 | 3.6 | 3.5 | 3.5 | 3.5 | 3.5 | 3.6 | 3.6 | 3.7 | 3.8 |
| U.S. | 3.8 | 3.8 | 3.8 | 3.7 | 3.7 | 3.7 | 3.9 | 3.8 | 3.9 | 4.0 | 4.1 | 4.3 | 4.2 |
* Please note: 2023 numbers have undergone annual revision *
Since August 2023, Total Nonfarm jobs increased 74,100 with the Total Private sector increasing by 57,300 and Government increasing by 16,800. Major industries experiencing increases were Leisure & Hospitality Services, 22,500; Education & Health Services, 20,900; Government, 16,800; Construction, 9,200; Other Services, 5,000; Financial Activities, 4,500; and Professional & Business Services, 3,200. Major industries experiencing decreases over the year were Trade, Transportation & Utilities, 4,900; Manufacturing, 2,400; Information, 600; and Mining & Logging, 100.
The next unemployment update is scheduled for Wednesday, October 2, 2024 when the county unemployment rates for August 2024 will be released.