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North Carolina

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Payroll employment in North Carolina increased by 4,800 jobs (0.1 percent) in August. The unemployment rate remained unchanged at 3.7 percent.

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Note: US Bureau of Labor Statistics State Employment and Unemployment data are not currently being updated due to suspension of federal government services.

Labor market icon showing three people Labor Market Conditions

  • "After July job losses, labor market conditions in North Carolina improved in August. Positive employment growth was primarily due to job gains in trade, transportation and utilities. Other industries, however, mostly experienced relatively flat or negative growth." – Bethany Greene
  • Payroll employment in North Carolina increased by 4,800 jobs (0.1 percent) during the month. Job gains were mostly due to trade, transportation and utilities which added 4,400 jobs. Total job gains were partially offset by declines in construction (1,200 jobs), information (300 jobs), government (200 jobs) and professional and business services (100 jobs).
  • On an annual basis, payroll employment increased by 80,800 jobs (1.6 percent). Yearly job growth was led by professional and business services (21,500 jobs), education and health services (21,100 jobs), and government (10,700 jobs). However, manufacturing employment declined by 8,400, and the information sector lost 800 jobs on a yearly basis.
  • The unemployment rate in North Carolina remained unchanged at 3.7 percent. However, the size of the labor force declined by 2,500 workers.

Housing Market icon showing a picture of a house Housing Market Conditions

  • North Carolina issued 0.4 percent fewer residential permits in August 2025 than in July 2025. Residential permitting decreased 24.7 percent in August 2025 compared to August 2024.
  • According to the Federal Housing Finance Agency, home values grew 0.8 percent in Q2 of 2025 compared to Q1 of 2025. Home values rose 3.3 percent from Q2 of 2024 to Q2 of 2025.
Snapshot Resources
  • Term Definitions

    Payroll Employment
    The number of nonfarm jobs (persons on payrolls) according to where those jobs are located.

    Unemployment Rate
    The number of unemployed persons (those not employed but available and searching for work) as a percent of the civilian labor force (the total number of employed plus unemployed persons).

    Industry Structure
    A breakdown of total nonfarm jobs by industry. Percentages sum to 100 percent.

    Industry Growth
    The percentage change in jobs in each industry from a year ago.

    Building Permits
    The number of privately owned single-family and multi-family units authorized in permit-issuing places.

    House Price Index
    A repeat sales index, measuring average price changes in repeat sales or refinancings on the same single-family properties.

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Joseph Mengedoth