The state’s seasonally adjusted September unemployment rate was 4.1 percent, decreasing 0.1 of a percentage point from August’s revised rate. The national rate decreased 0.2 of a percentage point to 3.5 percent.
North Carolina’s September 2019 unemployment rate increased 0.4 of a percentage point from a year ago. The number of people employed increased 11,850 over the month to 4,911,551 and increased 114,243 over the year. The number of people unemployed decreased 3,817 over the month to 208,399 and increased 23,432 over the year.
Seasonally adjusted Total Nonfarm industry employment, as gathered through the monthly establishment survey, increased 8,000 to 4,578,000 in September. The major industries with the largest over-the-month increases were Trade, Transportation & Utilities, 3,900; Leisure & Hospitality Services, 3,800; Professional & Business Services, 2,100; Education & Health Services, 1,700; Other Services, 900; Financial Activities, 400; and Information, 300. Major industries experiencing decreases were Manufacturing, 4,200; Construction, 700; and Government, 200. Mining & Logging employment remained unchanged.
Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates since September 2018
| Sep 2018 | Oct 2018 | Nov 2018 | Dec 2018 | Jan 2019 | Feb 2019 | Mar 2019 | Apr 2019 | May 2019 | June 2019 | July 2019 | August 2019 | Sep 2019 | |
| N.C. | 3.7 | 3.7 | 3.7 | 3.7 | 3.8 | 3.9 | 4.0 | 4.0 | 4.1 | 4.2 | 4.2 | 4.2 | 4.1 |
| U.S. | 3.7 | 3.8 | 3.7 | 3.9 | 4.0 | 3.8 | 3.8 | 3.6 | 3.6 | 3.7 | 3.7 | 3.7 | 3.5 |
* Please note: 2018 Numbers Have Been Annually Revised *
Since September 2018, Total Nonfarm jobs increased 102,700 with the Total Private sector increasing by 99,900 and Government increasing by 2,800. The largest over-the-year increase among major industries was Trade, Transportation & Utilities at 32,000, followed by Leisure & Hospitality Services, 28,400; Professional & Business Services, 16,500; Education & Health Services, 16,300; Financial Activities, 8,200; Other Services, 6,400; Government, 2,800; and Information, 1,800. Major industries experiencing decreases were Manufacturing, 8,400; Construction, 1,200; and Mining & Logging, 100.
The next unemployment update is scheduled for Wednesday, October 30, 2019 when the county unemployment rates for September 2019 will be released