The state’s seasonally adjusted April 2025 unemployment rate was 3.7 percent, unchanged from March’s revised rate. The national rate was unchanged at 4.2 percent.
North Carolina’s unemployment rate increased 0.1 of a percentage point from a year ago. The number of people employed decreased 81 over the month to 5,098,151 and increased 1,063 over the year. The number of people unemployed increased 1,173 over the month to 196,360 and increased 7,959 over the year.
Seasonally adjusted Total Nonfarm employment, as gathered through the monthly establishment survey, increased 18,100 to 5,094,100 in April. Major industries experiencing increases were Professional & Business Services, 4,500; Trade, Transportation & Utilities, 4,000; Leisure & Hospitality Services, 2,800; Private Education & Health Services, 2,200; Manufacturing, 2,100; Other Services, 1,500; Government, 900; Construction, 200; Information, 200; and Mining & Logging, 100. The only major industry experiencing a decrease was Financial Activities, 400.
Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates since April 2024
| Area | Apr 2024 | May 2024 | June 2024 | July 2024 | August 2024 | Sep 2024 | Oct 2024 | Nov 2024 | Dec 2024 | Jan 2025 | Feb 2025 | Mar 2025 | Apr 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| N.C. | 3.6 | 3.6 | 3.6 | 3.6 | 3.7 | 3.7 | 3.7 | 3.7 | 3.7 | 3.7 | 3.7 | 3.7 | 3.7 |
| U.S. | 3.9 | 4.0 | 4.1 | 4.2 | 4.2 | 4.1 | 4.1 | 4.2 | 4.1 | 4.0 | 4.1 | 4.2 | 4.2 |
Estimates are subject to monthly and annual revisions*
Since April 2024, Total Nonfarm jobs increased 76,700 with the Total Private sector increasing by 60,900 and Government increasing by 15,800. Major industries experiencing increases were Private Education & Health Services, 20,300; Professional & Business Services, 17,800; Government, 15,800; Trade, Transportation & Utilities, 11,300; Construction, 6,700; Other Services, 5,400; Leisure & Hospitality Services, 3,300; Financial Activities, 1,700; and Mining & Logging, 300. Major industries experiencing decreases over the year were Manufacturing, 5,300; and Information, 600.
The next unemployment update is scheduled for Wednesday, May 28, 2025 when the county unemployment rates for April 2025 will be released.