The state’s seasonally adjusted January 2025 unemployment rate was 3.7 percent, unchanged from December’s revised rate. The national rate decreased 0.1 of a percentage point to 4.0 percent.
North Carolina’s unemployment rate increased 0.2 of a percentage point from a year ago. The number of people employed increased 5,845 over the month to 5,095,312 and increased 672 over the year. The number of people unemployed increased 1,247 over the month to 197,455 and increased 10,836 over the year.
Seasonally adjusted Total Nonfarm employment, as gathered through the monthly establishment survey, increased 7,700 to 5,052,000 in January. Major industries experiencing increases were Trade, Transportation & Utilities, 3,200; Education & Health Services, 2,600; Professional & Business Services, 1,800; Other Services, 1,400; Financial Activities, 1,100; Construction, 1,000; Government, 400; and Information, 100. Major industries experiencing decreases were Leisure & Hospitality Services, 3,800; and Mining & Logging, 100. Manufacturing employment remained unchanged.
Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates since January 2024
| Area | Jan 2024 | Feb 2024 | Mar 2024 | Apr 2024 | May 2024 | June 2024 | July 2024 | August 2024 | Sep 2024 | Oct 2024 | Nov 2024 | Dec 2024 | Jan 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| N.C. | 3.5 | 3.5 | 3.5 | 3.6 | 3.6 | 3.6 | 3.6 | 3.7 | 3.7 | 3.7 | 3.7 | 3.7 | 3.7 |
| U.S. | 3.7 | 3.9 | 3.9 | 3.9 | 4.0 | 4.1 | 4.2 | 4.2 | 4.1 | 4.1 | 4.2 | 4.1 | 4.0 |
Estimates are subject to monthly and annual revisions*
Since January 2024, Total Nonfarm jobs increased 60,500 with the Total Private sector increasing by 41,200 and Government increasing by 19,300. Major industries experiencing increases were Education & Health Services, 23,700; Government, 19,300; Professional & Business Services, 9,700; Construction, 6,600; Trade, Transportation & Utilities, 3,900; Financial Activities, 2,900; and Other Services, 2,700. Major industries experiencing decreases over the year were Manufacturing, 7,000; Information, 1,000; Leisure & Hospitality Services, 200; and Mining & Logging, 100.
The next unemployment update is scheduled for Friday, March 21, 2025 when the county unemployment rates for January 2025 will be released.