Raleigh, N.C. — The state’s seasonally adjusted October unemployment rate was 5.7 percent, decreasing 0.1 of a percentage point from September’s revised rate. The national rate declined 0.1 of a percentage point to 5.0 percent.
North Carolina’s October 2015 unemployment rate was unchanged from a year ago. The number of people employed increased 10,871 over the month to 4,488,328 and increased 124,146 over the year. The number of people unemployed decreased 2,042 over the month to 273,645, and increased 11,591 over the year.
Seasonally adjusted Total Nonfarm industry employment, as gathered through the monthly establishment survey, decreased 3,100 to 4,265,500 in October. The major industry with the largest over-the-month increase was Government at 6,400, followed by Construction, 2,200; Other Services, 800; Professional & Business Services, 800; Trade, Transportation & Utilities, 200; and Mining & Logging, 100. Major industries experiencing decreases were Leisure & Hospitality Services, 7,200; Education & Health Services, 4,100; Financial Activities, 1,700; Manufacturing, 500; and Information, 100.
Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates since October 2014
| Oct 2014 | Nov 2014 | Dec 2014 | Jan 2015 | Feb 2015 | Mar 2015 | Apr 2015 | May 2015 | Jun 2015 | Jul 2015 | Aug 2015 | Sep 2015 | Oct 2015 | |
| N.C. | 5.7 | 5.5 | 5.4 | 5.3 | 5.3 | 5.4 | 5.5 | 5.7 | 5.8 | 5.9 | 5.9 | 5.8 | 5.7 |
| U.S. | 5.7 | 5.8 | 5.6 | 5.7 | 5.5 | 5.5 | 5.4 | 5.5 | 5.3 | 5.3 | 5.1 | 5.1 | 5.0 |
*2014 Numbers Have Been Annually Revised*
Since October 2014, Total Nonfarm jobs gained 91,000 with the Total Private sector growing by 88,900 and Government increasing by 2,100. The largest over-the-year increase among major industries was Professional & Business Services at 21,000, followed by Education & Health Services, 12,900; Construction, 10,600; Trade, Transportation & Utilities, 10,200; Financial Activities, 9,800; Manufacturing, 8,800; Leisure & Hospitality Services, 8,500; Other Services, 5,300; Government, 2,100; and Information, 1,900. The only major industry experiencing a decrease over the year was Mining & Logging, 100.
The next unemployment update is scheduled for Monday, December 7, 2015 when the county unemployment rates for October 2015 will be released.
This information may be accessed on the Commerce website at http://www.nccommerce.com/lead