North Carolina’s Unemployment Rate Holds Steady Amid National Decline
In June 2025, North Carolina’s unemployment rate remained static at 3.7 percent, sustaining the same level as May’s revised figure. In contrast, the national jobless rate saw a slight decrease to 4.1 percent, down by 0.1 of a percentage point.
Over the past year, North Carolina’s unemployment rate edged up by 0.1 of a percentage point. The number of employed individuals in the state fell by 3,023 from the previous month, settling at 5,089,852, and decreased by 6,560 from the same time last year. Meanwhile, the count of unemployed residents rose by 464 in June to 197,019, which is also a year-over-year increase of 5,610.
In terms of employment sectors, the state’s seasonally adjusted Total Nonfarm employment expanded by 5,000, reaching 5,099,200 jobs in June. The sectors that saw the most significant job increases included Private Education & Health Services with 3,600 new jobs, Construction adding 2,300 jobs, and Leisure & Hospitality Services gaining 2,100 positions. Other industries experiencing job growth included Professional & Business Services, Financial Activities, and Government. However, certain sectors faced declines, notably Trade, Transportation & Utilities, which reduced by 4,000 jobs, along with Manufacturing, which saw a drop of 1,300 jobs.
Trends in Unemployment Rates Since June 2024
| Area | June 2024 | July 2024 | August 2024 | Sep 2024 | Oct 2024 | Nov 2024 | Dec 2024 | Jan 2025 | Feb 2025 | Mar 2025 | Apr 2025 | May 2025 | June 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| N.C. | 3.6 | 3.6 | 3.7 | 3.7 | 3.7 | 3.7 | 3.7 | 3.7 | 3.7 | 3.7 | 3.7 | 3.7 | 3.7 |
| U.S. | 4.1 | 4.2 | 4.2 | 4.1 | 4.1 | 4.2 | 4.1 | 4.0 | 4.1 | 4.2 | 4.2 | 4.2 | 4.1 |
Estimates are subject to monthly and annual revisions*
Since June 2024, North Carolina has seen an increase of 80,200 jobs in the Total Nonfarm sector, with the Total Private sector contributing 66,600 jobs and the Government adding 13,600 positions. Private Education & Health Services experienced the largest growth with 26,600 jobs, followed by Professional & Business Services, Government, and Construction. Conversely, sectors such as Manufacturing and Information posted job decreases of 7,100 and 1,000, respectively. Mining & Logging remained stable without changes in employment numbers over the year.
The subsequent unemployment data release is set for Wednesday, July 30, 2025, when county-level unemployment statistics for June 2025 will be published.
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