The state’s seasonally adjusted September 2025 unemployment rate was 3.7 percent, unchanged from August’s revised rate. The national rate increased 0.1 of a percentage point to 4.4 percent.
North Carolina’s unemployment rate was unchanged from a year ago. The number of people employed increased 1,020 over the month to 5,089,209 and decreased 306 over the year. The number of people unemployed increased 2,954 over the month to 197,807 and increased 2,499 over the year.
Seasonally adjusted Total Nonfarm employment, as gathered through the monthly establishment survey, increased 10,200 to 5,106,700 in September. Major industries experiencing increases were Leisure & Hospitality Services, 3,200; Professional & Business Services, 2,500; Private Education & Health Services, 2,000; Construction, 1,300; Financial Activities, 700; Information, 300; Manufacturing, 300; Government, 100; Mining & Logging, 100; and Other Services, 100. The only major sector experiencing a decrease was Trade, Transportation & Utilities, 400.
Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates since September 2024
| Area | Sep 2024 | Oct 2024 | Nov 2024 | Dec 2024 | Jan 2025 | Feb 2025 | Mar 2025 | Apr 2025 | May 2025 | June 2025 | July 2025 | August 2025 | Sep 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. | 4.1 | 4.1 | 4.2 | 4.1 | 4.0 | 4.1 | 4.2 | 4.2 | 4.2 | 4.1 | 4.2 | 4.3 | 4.4 |
Estimates are subject to monthly and annual revisions*
Since September 2024, Total Nonfarm jobs increased 79,700 with the Total Private sector increasing by 71,800 and Government increasing by 7,900. Major industries experiencing increases were Private Education & Health Services, 21,400; Professional & Business Services, 20,100; Leisure & Hospitality Services, 11,100; Construction, 9,700; Trade, Transportation & Utilities, 8,600; Government, 7,900; Other Services, 4,800; Financial Activities, 4,000; and Mining & Logging, 200. Major industries experiencing decreases over the year were Manufacturing, 7,700; and Information, 400.
The next unemployment update is scheduled for Wednesday, December 17, 2025 when the county unemployment rates for September 2025 will be released.