Raleigh, N.C. - The state’s seasonally adjusted March 2023 unemployment rate was 3.5 percent, decreasing 0.1 of a percentage point from February’s revised rate. The national rate decreased 0.1 of a percentage point to 3.5 percent.

North Carolina’s unemployment rate increased 0.2 of a percentage point from a year ago. The number of people employed increased 15,686 over the month to 4,996,448 and increased 15,354 over the year. The number of people unemployed decreased 4,983 over the month to 183,118 and increased 10,914 over the year.                                       

Seasonally adjusted Total Nonfarm employment, as gathered through the monthly establishment survey, increased 7,000 to 4,891,600 in March. Major industries experiencing increases were Education & Health Services, 2,900; Leisure & Hospitality Services, 2,400; Other Services, 1,100; Professional & Business Services, 800; Trade, Transportation & Utilities, 800; and Mining & Logging, 200. Major industries experiencing decreases were Financial Activities, 700; Information, 300; and Construction, 200. Government and Manufacturing employment remained unchanged.

Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates since March 2022

Since March 2022, Total Nonfarm jobs increased 132,900 with the Total Private sector increasing by 128,400 and Government increasing by 4,500. Major industries experiencing increases were Leisure & Hospitality Services, 36,900; Education & Health Services, 27,700; Professional & Business Services, 24,700; Other Services, 9,400; Construction, 8,600; Financial Activities, 7,500; Manufacturing, 5,800; Information, 4,600; Government, 4,500; and Trade, Transportation & Utilities, 3,200. Mining & Logging remained unchanged over the year.

The next unemployment update is scheduled for Wednesday, May 3, 2023 when the county unemployment rates for March 2023 will be released.