The state’s seasonally adjusted February 2025 unemployment rate was 3.7 percent, unchanged from January’s revised rate. The national rate increased 0.1 of a percentage point to 4.1 percent.
North Carolina’s unemployment rate increased 0.2 of a percentage point from a year ago. The number of people employed increased 3,448 over the month to 5,098,782 and increased 3,285 over the year. The number of people unemployed decreased 1,813 over the month to 195,627 and increased 9,410 over the year.
Seasonally adjusted Total Nonfarm employment, as gathered through the monthly establishment survey, increased 10,200 to 5,063,200 in February. Major industries experiencing increases were Trade, Transportation & Utilities, 2,800; Education & Health Services, 2,500; Construction, 1,600; Other Services, 1,200; Leisure & Hospitality Services, 1,100; Professional & Business Services, 900; Government, 700; Financial Activities, 600; and Mining & Logging, 200. Major industries experiencing decreases were Manufacturing, 1,200; and Information, 200.
Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates since February 2024
| Area | Feb 2024 | Mar 2024 | Apr 2024 | May 2024 | June 2024 | July 2024 | August 2024 | Sep 2024 | Oct 2024 | Nov 2024 | Dec 2024 | Jan 2025 | Feb 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| N.C. | 3.5 | 3.5 | 3.6 | 3.6 | 3.6 | 3.6 | 3.7 | 3.7 | 3.7 | 3.7 | 3.7 | 3.7 | 3.7 |
| U.S. | 3.9 | 3.9 | 3.9 | 4.0 | 4.1 | 4.2 | 4.2 | 4.1 | 4.1 | 4.2 | 4.1 | 4.0 | 4.1 |
Estimates are subject to monthly and annual revisions*
Since February 2024, Total Nonfarm jobs increased 64,900 with the Total Private sector increasing by 49,700 and Government increasing by 15,200. Major industries experiencing increases were Education & Health Services, 23,100; Government, 15,200; Professional & Business Services, 11,000; Trade, Transportation & Utilities, 9,700; Construction, 7,000; Other Services, 3,800; Financial Activities, 3,000; Leisure & Hospitality Services, 2,200; and Mining & Logging, 200. Major industries experiencing decreases over the year were Manufacturing, 9,000; and Information, 1,300.
The next unemployment update is scheduled for Wednesday, April 9, 2025 when the county unemployment rates for February 2025 will be released.