The state’s seasonally adjusted June 2026 unemployment rate was 3.6 percent, decreasing 0.1 of a percentage point from May’s revised rate. The national rate decreased 0.1 of a percentage point to 4.2 percent.
North Carolina’s unemployment rate decreased 0.2 of a percentage point from a year ago. The number of people employed decreased 12,684 over the month to 5,073,245 and decreased 14,850 over the year. The number of people unemployed decreased 4,567 over the month to 189,968 and decreased 12,879 over the year.
Seasonally adjusted Total Nonfarm employment, as gathered through the monthly establishment survey, increased 400 to 5,115,400 in June. Major industries experiencing increases were Construction, 2,900; Private Education & Health Services 1,100; Professional & Business Services, 1,000; Government, 600; Manufacturing 300; and Other Services, 100. Major industries experiencing decreases were Trade, Transportation & Utilities, 3,800; Leisure and Hospitality Services, 1,100; Information, 600; and Financial Activities, 100. Mining & Logging employment remained unchanged.
Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates since June 2025
| Area | June 2025 | July 2025 | August 2025 | Sep 2025 | Oct 2025 | Nov 2025 | Dec 2025 | Jan 2026 | Feb 2026 | Mar 2026 | Apr 2026 | May 2026 | June 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| N.C. | 3.8 | 3.9 | 3.9 | 3.9 | * | 3.8 | 3.8 | 3.8 | 3.8 | 3.7 | 3.7 | 3.7 | 3.6 |
| U.S. | 4.1 | 4.3 | 4.3 | 4.4 | * | 4.5 | 4.4 | 4.3 | 4.4 | 4.3 | 4.3 | 4.3 | 4.2 |
Estimates are subject to monthly and annual revisions*
*October 2025 data are unavailable due to the lapse in appropriations*
Since June 2025, Total Nonfarm jobs increased 62,900 with the Total Private sector increasing by 58,500 and Government increasing by 4,400. Major industries experiencing increases were Private Education & Health Services 21,800; Leisure & Hospitality Services, 15,600; Construction, 15,500; Professional & Business Services, 14,800; Government, 4,400; Financial Activities, 2,600; and Other Services, 1,400. Major industries experiencing decreases over the year were Manufacturing, 10,000; Information, 2,900; and Trade, Transportation & Utilities, 300. Mining & Logging employment remained unchanged over the year.
The next unemployment update is scheduled for Wednesday, July 29, 2026 when the county unemployment rates for June 2026 will be released.