Raleigh, N.C. — The state’s seasonally adjusted August unemployment rate was 4.1 percent, remaining unchanged from July’s revised rate. The national rate increased 0.1 of a percentage point to 4.4 percent.
North Carolina’s August 2017 unemployment rate decreased 0.9 of a percentage point from a year ago. The number of people employed increased 2,496 over the month to 4,702,213 and increased 69,738 over the year. The number of people unemployed decreased 347 over the month to 200,200 and decreased 42,910 over the year.
Seasonally adjusted Total Nonfarm industry employment, as gathered through the monthly establishment survey, increased 8,400 to 4,423,000 in August. The major industries with the largest over-the-month increases were Education & Health Services at 5,400, followed by Professional & Business Services, 3,700; Trade, Transportation & Utilities, 3,700; Financial Activities, 2,000; Leisure & Hospitality Services, 1,100; and Construction, 600. Major industries experiencing decreases were Government, 5,000; Information, 1,600; Manufacturing, 1,400; and Other Services, 100. Mining & Logging industry employment remained unchanged over the month.
Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates since August 2016
| Aug 2016 | Sep 2016 | Oct 2016 | Nov 2016 | Dec 2016 | Jan 2017 | Feb 2017 | Mar 2017 | Apr 2017 | May 2017 | June 2017 | July 2017 | Aug 2017 | |
| N.C. | 5.0 | 5.1 | 5.1 | 5.2 | 5.2 | 5.3 | 5.1 | 4.9 | 4.7 | 4.5 | 4.2 | 4.1 | 4.1 |
| U.S. | 4.9 | 4.9 | 4.8 | 4.6 | 4.7 | 4.8 | 4.7 | 4.5 | 4.4 | 4.3 | 4.4 | 4.3 | 4.4 |
* Please note: 2016 Numbers Have Been Annually Revised *
Since August 2016, Total Nonfarm jobs gained 70,500 with the Total Private sector growing by 64,400 and Government increasing by 6,100. The largest over-the-year increase among major industries was Professional & Business Services at 34,000, followed by Education & Health Services, 16,700; Leisure & Hospitality Services, 11,400; Government, 6,100; Trade, Transportation & Utilities, 5,300; Other Services, 4,200; Financial Activities, 4,100; and Mining & Logging, 100. Major industries experiencing decreases were Information, 7,600; Manufacturing, 2,000; and Construction, 1,800.
The next unemployment update is scheduled for Wednesday, September 27, 2017 when the county unemployment rates for August 2017 will be released.