The state’s seasonally adjusted May 2026 unemployment rate was 3.7 percent, remaining unchanged from April’s revised rate. The national rate was unchanged at 4.3 percent.
North Carolina’s unemployment rate decreased 0.1 of a percentage point from a year ago. The number of people employed decreased 11,988 over the month to 5,086,003 and decreased 2,157 over the year. The number of people unemployed decreased 1,998 over the month to 194,590 and decreased 7,164 over the year.
Seasonally adjusted Total Nonfarm employment, as gathered through the monthly establishment survey, increased 17,400 to 5,118,900 in May. Major industries experiencing increases were Leisure & Hospitality Services, 6,600; Professional & Business Services, 6,000; Private Education & Health Services, 3,600; Government, 1,400; Trade, Transportation & Utilities, 1,200; Construction, 1,000; Information, 400; and Other Services, 200. Major industries experiencing decreases were Manufacturing, 2,700; and Financial Activities, 300. Mining & Logging employment remained unchanged.
Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates since May 2025
| Area | May 2025 | June 2025 | July 2025 | August 2025 | Sep 2025 | Oct 2025 | Nov 2025 | Dec 2025 | Jan 2026 | Feb 2026 | Mar 2026 | Apr 2026 | May 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| N.C. | 3.8 | 3.8 | 3.9 | 3.9 | 3.9 | * | 3.8 | 3.8 | 3.8 | 3.8 | 3.7 | 3.7 | 3.7 |
| U.S. | 4.3 | 4.1 | 4.3 | 4.3 | 4.4 | * | 4.5 | 4.4 | 4.3 | 4.4 | 4.3 | 4.3 | 4.3 |
Estimates are subject to monthly and annual revisions
*October 2025 data are unavailable due to the lapse in appropriations*
Since May 2025, Total Nonfarm jobs increased 61,800 with the Total Private sector increasing by 56,000 and Government increasing by 5,800. Major industries experiencing increases were Private Education & Health Services, 23,000; Leisure & Hospitality Services, 17,000; Construction, 13,600; Professional & Business Services, 10,400; Government, 5,800; Trade, Transportation & Utilities, 3,700; Financial Activities, 2,200; and Other Services, 900. Major industries experiencing decreases over the year were Manufacturing, 12,600; and Information, 2,200. Mining & Logging employment remained unchanged over the year.
The next unemployment update is scheduled for Wednesday, July 1, 2026 when the county unemployment rates for May 2026 will be released.