North Carolina Unemployment

According to the BLS current population survey (CPS), the unemployment rate for North Carolina fell 0.0 percentage points in October 2023 to 3.4%. The state unemployment rate was 0.5 percentage points lower than the national rate for the month. The unemployment rate in North Carolina peaked in April 2020 at 14.2% and is now 10.8 percentage points lower. From a post peak low of 3.3% in March 2022, the unemployment rate has now grown by 0.1 percentage points. You can also see North Carolina unemployment compared to other states.

Unemployment Rate	October 2023	Month/Month	Year/Year
National	3.9%	+0.1	+0.2
North Carolina	3.4%	0.0	-0.5

Unemployment Rate: North Carolina, National

North Carolina monthly unemployment rate chart from 1990 to October 2023

Note: Recessions shown in gray

North Carolina Unemployed

The number of people unemployed in North Carolina peaked in April 2020 at 656,620. There are now 477,195 fewer people unemployed in the state. From a recent trough of 171,393 in July 2023, the number of unemployed has now grown by 8,032. North Carolina job growth data is also available.

Unemployed Persons	October 2023	Month/Month	Year/Year
North Carolina	179,425	+2,815	-23,098

Number of Unemployed Persons