The state’s seasonally adjusted October unemployment rate was 4.1 percent, decreasing 0.2 of a percentage point from September’s revised rate. The national rate decreased 0.2 of a percentage point to 4.6 percent.
North Carolina’s October 2021 unemployment rate decreased 2.7 percentage points from a year ago. The number of people employed increased 11,009 over the month to 4,825,767 and increased 138,415 over the year. The number of people unemployed decreased 6,223 over the month to 208,126 and decreased 132,870 over the year.
Seasonally adjusted Total Nonfarm employment, as gathered through the monthly establishment survey, increased 31,200 to 4,554,300 in October. Major industries experiencing increases were Leisure & Hospitality Services, 12,800; Trade, Transportation & Utilities, 7,500; Education & Health Services, 3,900; Manufacturing, 3,700; Construction, 2,200; Professional & Business Services, 1,800; Other Services, 900; and Information, 200. Major industries experiencing decreases were Financial Activities, 900; Government, 800; and Mining & Logging, 100.
Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates since October 2020
| Oct 2020 | Nov 2020 | Dec 2020 | Jan 2021 | Feb 2021 | Mar 2021 | Apr 2021 | May 2021 | June 2021 | July 2021 | August 2021 | Sep 2021 | Oct 2021 | |
| N.C. | 6.8 | 6.4 | 6.1 | 5.9 | 5.7 | 5.2 | 5.0 | 4.8 | 4.6 | 4.4 | 4.3 | 4.3 | 4.1 |
| U.S. | 6.9 | 6.7 | 6.7 | 6.3 | 6.2 | 6.0 | 6.1 | 5.8 | 5.9 | 5.4 | 5.2 | 4.8 | 4.6 |
* Please note: 2020 numbers have undergone annual revision *
Since October 2020, Total Nonfarm jobs increased 151,400 with the Total Private sector increasing by 150,500 and Government increasing by 900. Major industries experiencing increases were Leisure & Hospitality Services, 48,400; Professional & Business Services, 33,500; Manufacturing, 21,400; Trade, Transportation & Utilities, 18,900; Construction, 16,100; Information, 5,600; Other Services, 3,900; Financial Activities, 1,700; Education & Health Services, 1,000; and Government, 900. Mining & Logging employment remained unchanged over the year.
The next unemployment update is scheduled for Thursday, December 2, 2021 when the county unemployment rates for October 2021 will be released.