The state’s seasonally adjusted August 2025 unemployment rate was 3.7 percent, unchanged from July’s revised rate. The national rate increased 0.1 of a percentage point to 4.3 percent.
North Carolina’s unemployment rate was unchanged from a year ago. The number of people employed decreased 2,394 over the month to 5,088,201 and decreased 3,168 over the year. The number of people unemployed decreased 142 over the month to 194,915 and increased 722 over the year.
Seasonally adjusted Total Nonfarm employment, as gathered through the monthly establishment survey, increased 4,800 to 5,095,400 in August. Major industries experiencing increases were Trade, Transportation & Utilities, 4,400; Leisure & Hospitality Services, 700; Other Services, 700; Manufacturing, 500; and Financial Activities, 300. Major industries experiencing decreases were Construction, 1,200; Information, 300; Government, 200; and Professional & Business Services, 100. Mining & Logging and Private Education & Health Services employment remained unchanged.
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*
Since August 2024, Total Nonfarm jobs increased 80,800 with the Total Private sector increasing by 70,100 and Government increasing by 10,700. Major industries experiencing increases were Professional & Business Services, 21,500; Private Education & Health Services, 21,100; Government, 10,700; Leisure & Hospitality Services, 10,000; Trade, Transportation & Utilities, 9,500; Construction, 8,000; Other Services, 5,500; Financial Activities, 3,600; and Mining & Logging, 100. Major industries experiencing decreases over the year were Manufacturing, 8,400; and Information, 800.
The next unemployment update is scheduled for Wednesday, October 1, 2025 when the county unemployment rates for August 2025 will be released.