Steady Unemployment Rate in North Carolina Amid National Increase
In Raleigh, North Carolina, the unemployment rate for July 2025 held steady at 3.7%, unchanged from June’s revised figures. Meanwhile, the national unemployment rate experienced a slight uptick, rising by 0.1 percentage point to reach 4.2%.
Over the past year, North Carolina saw its unemployment rate inch up by 0.1 percentage point. Employment figures reveal a slight increase, with 664 more individuals employed in July, bringing the total number of employed persons to 5,090,536. However, this number represents a decrease of 3,550 compared to the previous year. Those classified as unemployed decreased by 1,844 over the month to 195,068, but showed an increase of 2,157 over the year.
The state’s Total Nonfarm employment, adjusted for seasonal variations and derived from the monthly establishment survey, saw a decrease of 1,500 jobs in July, bringing the total to 5,094,600. Key sectors showing employment growth included Private Education & Health Services with an increase of 2,500 jobs, followed by Government, which gained 1,100 jobs. Other sectors like Information, Trade, Transportation & Utilities, Construction, and Financial Activities also registered modest gains. Conversely, Professional & Business Services faced the largest decline, losing 3,000 jobs, while Manufacturing was down by 2,900 jobs. Leisure & Hospitality Services and Other Services also saw reductions. Employment in Mining & Logging remained constant.
Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates since July 2024
| Area | July 2024 | August 2024 | Sep 2024 | Oct 2024 | Nov 2024 | Dec 2024 | Jan 2025 | Feb 2025 | Mar 2025 | Apr 2025 | May 2025 | June 2025 | July 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| N.C. | 3.6 | 3.7 | 3.7 | 3.7 | 3.7 | 3.7 | 3.7 | 3.7 | 3.7 | 3.7 | 3.7 | 3.7 | 3.7 |
| U.S. | 4.2 | 4.2 | 4.1 | 4.1 | 4.2 | 4.1 | 4.0 | 4.1 | 4.2 | 4.2 | 4.2 | 4.1 | 4.2 |
Estimates are subject to monthly and annual revisions*
Looking back over the year since July 2024, the state has seen an increase of 83,100 in Total Nonfarm jobs. The Total Private sector expanded by 70,300 positions, while the Government sector grew by 12,800 jobs. Notable increases were observed in sectors like Private Education & Health Services, which added 24,900 jobs, and Professional & Business Services with 21,800 new positions. Other sectors such as Government, Construction, Leisure & Hospitality Services, Trade, Transportation & Utilities, Other Services, and Financial Activities also contributed to job growth. Manufacturing was the sole major industry to experience a decline, with a loss of 8,900 jobs, while Information sector employment stayed constant.
The upcoming update on unemployment figures, detailing county-level data for July 2025, is scheduled for release on Wednesday, August 27, 2025.
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