North Carolina Unemployment

According to the BLS current population survey (CPS), the unemployment rate for North Carolina rose 0.1 percentage points in September 2022 to 3.6%. The state unemployment rate was 0.1 percentage points higher than the national rate for the month. The unemployment rate in North Carolina peaked in April 2020 at 14.2% and is now 10.6 percentage points lower. From a post peak low of 3.4% in April 2022, the unemployment rate has now grown by 0.2 percentage points. You can also see North Carolina unemployment compared to other states.

Unemployment Rate	September 2022	Month/Month	Year/Year
National	3.5%	-0.2	-1.2
North Carolina	3.6%	+0.1	-0.9

Note: All comparisons are made with September data as October state level unemployment data has not yet been released.

Unemployment Rate: North Carolina, National

North Carolina monthly unemployment rate chart from 1990 to September 2022

Note: Recessions shown in gray

North Carolina Unemployed

The number of people unemployed in North Carolina peaked in April 2020 at 658,694. There are now 474,474 fewer people unemployed in the state. From a recent trough of 170,891 in May 2022, the number of unemployed has now grown by 13,329. North Carolina job growth data is also available.

Unemployed Persons	September 2022	Month/Month	Year/Year
North Carolina	184,220	+4,699	-42,513

Number of Unemployed Persons