Raleigh, N.C. — The state’s seasonally adjusted September unemployment rate was 4.1 percent, remaining unchanged from August’s revised rate. The national rate decreased 0.2 of a percentage point to 4.2 percent.
North Carolina’s September 2017 unemployment rate decreased 1.0 percentage point from a year ago. The number of people employed increased 28,399 over the month to 4,730,428 and increased 88,598 over the year. The number of people unemployed increased 738 over the month to 200,905 and decreased 46,413 over the year.
Seasonally adjusted Total Nonfarm industry employment, as gathered through the monthly establishment survey, increased 2,500 to 4,422,500 in September. The major industries with the largest over-the-month increases were Government at 5,900, followed by Manufacturing, 1,600; Trade, Transportation & Utilities, 1,600; Construction, 1,300; Professional & Business Services, 900; and Information, 100. Major industries experiencing decreases were Leisure & Hospitality Services, 4,600; Financial Activities, 2,600; Education & Health Services, 1,000; and Other Services, 700. Mining & Logging industry employment remained unchanged over the month.
Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates since September 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 | Sep 2017 | |
| N.C. | 5.1 | 5.1 | 5.2 | 5.2 | 5.3 | 5.1 | 4.9 | 4.7 | 4.5 | 4.2 | 4.1 | 4.1 | 4.1 |
| U.S. | 4.9 | 4.8 | 4.6 | 4.7 | 4.8 | 4.7 | 4.5 | 4.4 | 4.3 | 4.4 | 4.3 | 4.4 | 4.2 |
* Please note: 2016 Numbers Have Been Annually Revised *
Since September 2016, Total Nonfarm jobs gained 61,400 with the Total Private sector growing by 53,300 and Government increasing by 8,100. The largest over-the-year increase among major industries was Professional & Business Services at 32,500, followed by Education & Health Services, 15,500; Government, 8,100; Leisure & Hospitality Services, 4,300; Trade, Transportation & Utilities, 4,000; Other Services, 3,100; Financial Activities, 1,500; and Mining & Logging, 200. Major industries experiencing decreases were Information, 5,900; Construction, 1,800; and Manufacturing, 100.
The next unemployment update is scheduled for Wednesday, November 1, 2017 when the county unemployment rates for September 2017 will be released.