The state’s seasonally adjusted September unemployment rate was 4.2 percent, decreasing 0.1 of a percentage point from August’s revised rate. The national rate decreased 0.4 of a percentage point to 4.8 percent.
North Carolina’s September 2021 unemployment rate decreased 3.1 percentage points from a year ago. The number of people employed increased 15,497 over the month to 4,810,394 and increased 167,700 over the year. The number of people unemployed decreased 5,074 over the month to 211,500 and decreased 152,782 over the year.
Seasonally adjusted Total Nonfarm employment, as gathered through the monthly establishment survey, increased 3,700 to 4,522,300 in September. Major industries experiencing increases were Trade, Transportation & Utilities, 5,700; Professional & Business Services, 3,900; Other Services, 1,200; Construction, 800; Leisure & Hospitality Services, 500; and Information, 300. Major industries experiencing decreases were Government, 4,400; Education & Health Services, 3,300; Financial Activities, 700; and Manufacturing, 300. Mining & Logging employment remained unchanged
Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates since September 2020
| Sep 2020 | Oct 2020 | Nov 2020 | Dec 2020 | Jan 2021 | Feb 2021 | Mar 2021 | Apr 2021 | May 2021 | June 2021 | July 2021 | August 2021 | Sep 2021 | |
| N.C. | 7.3 | 6.8 | 6.4 | 6.1 | 5.9 | 5.7 | 5.2 | 5.0 | 4.8 | 4.6 | 4.4 | 4.3 | 4.2 |
| U.S. | 7.8 | 6.9 | 6.7 | 6.7 | 6.3 | 6.2 | 6.0 | 6.1 | 5.8 | 5.9 | 5.4 | 5.2 | 4.8 |
* Please note: 2020 numbers have undergone annual revision *
Since September 2020, Total Nonfarm jobs increased 139,500 with the Total Private sector increasing by 145,700 and Government decreasing by 6,200. Major industries experiencing increases were Leisure & Hospitality Services, 39,700; Professional & Business Services, 39,400; Manufacturing, 21,100; Trade, Transportation & Utilities, 20,800; Construction, 14,400; Information, 6,200; Other Services, 3,700; Financial Activities, 3,000; and Mining & Logging, 100. Major industries experiencing decreases were Government, 6,200; and Education & Health Services, 2,700.
The next unemployment update is scheduled for Wednesday, November 3, 2021 when the county unemployment rates for September 2021 will be released.