The state’s seasonally adjusted October 2024 unemployment rate was 3.7 percent, decreasing 0.1 of a percentage point from September’s revised rate. The national rate was unchanged at 4.1 percent.
North Carolina’s unemployment rate increased 0.1 of a percentage point from a year ago. The number of people employed decreased 763 over the month to 5,067,394 and increased 4,529 over the year. The number of people unemployed decreased 1,103 over the month to 196,774 and increased 8,364 over the year.
Seasonally adjusted Total Nonfarm employment, as gathered through the monthly establishment survey, decreased 5,500 to 5,024,800 in October. Major industries experiencing increases were Education & Health Services, 2,800; Government, 600; Trade, Transportation & Utilities, 500; and Information, 100. Major industries experiencing decreases were Construction, 4,300; Manufacturing, 2,000; Other Services, 1,800; Leisure & Hospitality Services, 800; Professional & Business Services, 400; and Financial Activities, 200. Mining & Logging employment remained unchanged.
Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates since October 2023
| Area | Oct 2023 | Nov 2023 | Dec 2023 | Jan 2024 | Feb 2024 | Mar 2024 | Apr 2024 | May 2024 | June 2024 | July 2024 | August 2024 | Sep 2024 | Oct 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| N.C. | 3.6 | 3.6 | 3.6 | 3.5 | 3.5 | 3.5 | 3.5 | 3.6 | 3.6 | 3.7 | 3.8 | 3.8 | 3.7 |
| U.S. | 3.8 | 3.7 | 3.7 | 3.7 | 3.9 | 3.8 | 3.9 | 4.0 | 4.1 | 4.3 | 4.2 | 4.1 | 4.1 |
* Please note: 2023 numbers have undergone annual revision *
Since October 2023, Total Nonfarm jobs increased 75,800 with the Total Private sector increasing by 61,800 and Government increasing by 14,000. Major industries experiencing increases were Education & Health Services, 27,700; Leisure & Hospitality Services, 16,800; Government, 14,000; Professional & Business Services, 12,000; Construction, 6,400; Financial Activities, 3,400; and Other Services, 2,800. Major industries experiencing decreases over the year were Manufacturing, 4,100; Trade, Transportation & Utilities, 2,400; and Information, 800. Mining & Logging employment remained unchanged over the year.
The next unemployment update is scheduled for Wednesday, November 27, 2024 when the county unemployment rates for October 2024 will be released.