Stability Marks North Carolina’s August 2025 Employment Landscape
In August 2025, North Carolina’s unemployment rate held steady, maintaining a consistent 3.7 percent rate from July, according to the latest figures from Raleigh. While the state’s unemployment remained unchanged, the national unemployment rate saw a slight increase, moving up by 0.1 percentage point to reach 4.3 percent.
Compared to last year, North Carolina’s unemployment rate showed no fluctuation. However, the total number of employed individuals in the state decreased by 2,394 over the month, landing at 5,088,201, and experienced a yearly decrease of 3,168. On the contrary, the count of unemployed individuals saw a monthly decrease of 142, totaling 194,915, but rose by 722 over the year.
Focusing on seasonally adjusted Total Nonfarm employment, there was an increment of 4,800 jobs in August, raising the total to 5,095,400. Sectors witnessing job growth included Trade, Transportation & Utilities with 4,400 new jobs, followed by Leisure & Hospitality Services and Other Services, each gaining 700 jobs. Manufacturing added 500 positions, and Financial Activities saw a 300-job increase. Conversely, the Construction sector saw a reduction of 1,200 jobs, Information declined by 300, Government by 200, and Professional & Business Services by 100 jobs. Meanwhile, sectors such as Mining & Logging and Private Education & Health Services exhibited no change in employment numbers.
Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates since August 2024
| Area | August 2024 | Sep 2024 | Oct 2024 | Nov 2024 | Dec 2024 | Jan 2025 | Feb 2025 | Mar 2025 | Apr 2025 | May 2025 | June 2025 | July 2025 | August 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| N.C. | 3.7 | 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 | 4.1 | 4.1 | 4.2 | 4.1 | 4.0 | 4.1 | 4.2 | 4.2 | 4.2 | 4.1 | 4.2 | 4.3 |
Estimates are subject to monthly and annual revisions*
Over a year, Total Nonfarm jobs swelled by 80,800, with the Total Private sector contributing 70,100 jobs and Government accounting for 10,700 jobs. Industries leading the charge in job growth included Professional & Business Services with 21,500 new jobs and Private Education & Health Services with 21,100. Government jobs increased by 10,700, while Leisure & Hospitality Services added 10,000 jobs. Other sectors such as Trade, Transportation & Utilities, Construction, and Other Services also saw notable increases. On the other hand, Manufacturing faced a significant drop, losing 8,400 jobs, and the Information sector shrank by 800 jobs.
For further updates, mark your calendars for Wednesday, October 1, 2025, when the county unemployment rates for August 2025 are set to be unveiled.
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