The state’s seasonally adjusted July 2025 unemployment rate was 3.7 percent, unchanged from June’s revised rate. The national rate increased 0.1 of a percentage point to 4.2 percent.
North Carolina’s unemployment rate increased 0.1 of a percentage point from a year ago. The number of people employed increased 664 over the month to 5,090,536 and decreased 3,550 over the year. The number of people unemployed decreased 1,844 over the month to 195,068 and increased 2,157 over the year.
Seasonally adjusted Total Nonfarm employment, as gathered through the monthly establishment survey, decreased 1,500 to 5,094,600 in July. Major industries experiencing increases were Private Education & Health Services, 2,500; Government, 1,100; Information, 500; Trade, Transportation & Utilities, 500; Construction, 200; and Financial Activities, 200. Major industries experiencing decreases were Professional & Business Services, 3,000; Manufacturing, 2,900; Leisure & Hospitality Services, 400; and Other Services, 200. Mining & Logging employment remained unchanged.
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*
Since July 2024, Total Nonfarm jobs increased 83,100 with the Total Private sector increasing by 70,300 and Government increasing by 12,800. Major industries experiencing increases were Private Education & Health Services, 24,900; Professional & Business Services, 21,800; Government, 12,800; Construction, 10,000; Leisure & Hospitality Services, 8,300; Trade, Transportation & Utilities, 6,900; Other Services, 4,500; Financial Activities, 2,700; and Mining & Logging, 100. The only major industry experiencing a decrease over the year was Manufacturing, 8,900. Information employment remained unchanged over the year.
The next unemployment update is scheduled for Wednesday, August 27, 2025 when the county unemployment rates for July 2025 will be released.