The state’s seasonally adjusted May 2025 unemployment rate was 3.7 percent, unchanged from April’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 5,637 over the month to 5,092,894 and decreased 4,394 over the year. The number of people unemployed increased 284 over the month to 196,576 and increased 6,683 over the year.
Seasonally adjusted Total Nonfarm employment, as gathered through the monthly establishment survey, increased 400 to 5,091,900 in May. Major industries experiencing increases were Construction, 1,600; Trade, Transportation & Utilities, 1,300; Government, 300; Leisure & Hospitality Services, 100; and Private Education & Health Services, 100. Major industries experiencing decreases were Professional & Business Services, 2,200; Manufacturing, 400; Information, 200; Financial Activities, 100; and Other Services, 100. Mining & Logging employment remained unchanged.
Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates since May 2024
| Area | May 2024 | June 2024 | July 2024 | August 2024 | Sep 2024 | Oct 2024 | Nov 2024 | Dec 2024 | Jan 2025 | Feb 2025 | Mar 2025 | Apr 2025 | May 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| N.C. | 3.6 | 3.6 | 3.6 | 3.7 | 3.7 | 3.7 | 3.7 | 3.7 | 3.7 | 3.7 | 3.7 | 3.7 | 3.7 |
| U.S. | 4.0 | 4.1 | 4.2 | 4.2 | 4.1 | 4.1 | 4.2 | 4.1 | 4.0 | 4.1 | 4.2 | 4.2 | 4.2 |
Estimates are subject to monthly and annual revisions*
Since May 2024, Total Nonfarm jobs increased 67,900 with the Total Private sector increasing by 54,600 and Government increasing by 13,300. Major industries experiencing increases were Private Education & Health Services, 18,100; Professional & Business Services, 15,500; Government, 13,300; Trade, Transportation & Utilities, 13,200; Construction, 7,900; Other Services, 4,800; Financial Activities, 1,300; and Mining & Logging, 200. Major industries experiencing decreases over the year were Manufacturing, 5,400; Information, 800; and Leisure & Hospitality Services, 200.
The next unemployment update is scheduled for Wednesday, July 2, 2025 when the county unemployment rates for May 2025 will be released.