Raleigh, N.C. — The state’s seasonally adjusted May unemployment rate was 4.1 percent, increasing 0.1 of a percentage point from April’s revised rate. The national rate remained unchanged at 3.6 percent.
North Carolina’s May 2019 unemployment rate increased 0.1 of a percentage point from a year ago. The number of people employed increased 14,161 over the month to 4,852,204 and increased 64,656 over the year. The number of people unemployed increased 4,474 over the month to 206,902 and increased 8,975 over the year.
Seasonally adjusted Total Nonfarm industry employment, as gathered through the monthly establishment survey, increased 1,100 to 4,559,500 in May. The major industries with the largest over-the-month increases were Government at 2,300, followed by Construction, 2,000; Financial Activities, 1,500; Trade, Transportation & Utilities, 1,500; Education & Health Services, 600; and Information, 500. Major industries experiencing decreases were Professional & Business Services, 3,800; Leisure & Hospitality Services, 2,500; Manufacturing, 700; and Other Services, 300. Mining & Logging employment remained unchanged.
Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates since May 2018
| May 2018 | June 2018 | July 2018 | Aug 2018 | Sep 2018 | Oct 2018 | Nov 2018 | Dec 2018 | Jan 2019 | Feb 2019 | Mar 2019 | Apr 2019 | May 2019 | |
| N.C. | 4.0 | 3.9 | 3.8 | 3.7 | 3.7 | 3.7 | 3.7 | 3.7 | 3.8 | 3.9 | 4.0 | 4.0 | 4.1 |
| U.S. | 3.8 | 4.0 | 3.9 | 3.8 | 3.7 | 3.8 | 3.7 | 3.9 | 4.0 | 3.8 | 3.8 | 3.6 | 3.6 |
* Please note: 2018 Numbers Have Been Annually Revised *
Since May 2018, Total Nonfarm jobs gained 67,000 with the Total Private sector growing by 67,200 and Government decreasing by 200. The largest over-the-year increase among major industries was Trade, Transportation & Utilities at 18,600, followed by Leisure & Hospitality Services, 14,700; Education & Health Services, 13,400; Professional & Business Services, 11,400; Financial Activities, 5,200; Construction, 3,200; Manufacturing, 1,100; and Other Services, 500. Major industries experiencing decreases were Information, 700; Government, 200; and Mining & Logging, 200.
The next unemployment update is scheduled for Tuesday, July 2, 2019 when the county unemployment rates for May 2019 will be released.