Raleigh, N.C. — The state’s seasonally adjusted March unemployment rate was 4.9 percent, decreasing 0.2 of a percentage point from February’s revised rate. The national rate decreased 0.2 of a percentage point to 4.5 percent.
North Carolina’s March 2017 unemployment rate decreased 0.2 of a percentage point from a year ago. The number of people employed increased 15,331 over the month to 4,706,795 and increased 111,111 over the year. The number of people unemployed decreased 8,149 over the month to 244,060 and decreased 4,697 over the year.
Seasonally adjusted Total Nonfarm industry employment, as gathered through the monthly establishment survey, increased 500 to 4,387,600 in March. The major industries with the largest over-the-month increases were Government at 4,900, followed by Manufacturing, 2,600; Professional & Business Services, 900; Financial Activities, 500; and Education & Health Services, 300. Major industries experiencing decreases were Construction, 3,700; Trade, Transportation & Utilities, 3,000; Information, 1,600; Other Services, 300; and Leisure & Hospitality Services, 100. Mining & Logging employment remained unchanged over the month.
Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates since March 2016
| Mar 2016 | Apr 2016 | May 2016 | June 2016 | July 2016 | Aug 2016 | Sep 2016 | Oct 2016 | Nov 2016 | Dec 2016 | Jan 2017 | Feb 2017 | Mar 2017 | |
| N.C. | 5.1 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 4.9 | 4.9 | 5.0 | 5.1 | 5.1 | 5.2 | 5.2 | 5.3 | 5.1 | 4.9 |
| U.S. | 5.0 | 5.0 | 4.7 | 4.9 | 4.9 | 4.9 | 4.9 | 4.8 | 4.6 | 4.7 | 4.8 | 4.7 | 4.5 |
* Please note: 2016 Numbers Have Been Annually Revised *
Since March 2016, Total Nonfarm jobs gained 69,700 with the Total Private sector growing by 62,400 and Government increasing by 7,300. The largest over-the-year increase among major industries was Professional & Business Services at 18,800, followed by Leisure & Hospitality Services, 11,600; Education & Health Services, 10,700; Trade, Transportation & Utilities, 8,600; Government, 7,300; Financial Activities, 6,000; Other Services, 5,300; Construction, 4,400; and Mining & Logging, 200. Major industries experiencing decreases were Information, 2,300; and Manufacturing, 900.
The next unemployment update is scheduled for Wednesday, May 3, 2017 when the county unemployment rates for March 2017 will be released.