North Carolina Unemployment

According to the BLS current population survey (CPS), the unemployment rate for North Carolina fell 0.1 percentage points in April 2023 to 3.4%. The state unemployment rate was 0.0 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	April 2023	Month/Month	Year/Year
National	3.4%	-0.1	-0.2
North Carolina	3.4%	-0.1	+0.1

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

Unemployment Rate: North Carolina, National

North Carolina monthly unemployment rate chart from 1990 to April 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 477,767 fewer people unemployed in the state. From a recent trough of 172,204 in March 2022, the number of unemployed has now grown by 6,649. North Carolina job growth data is also available.

Unemployed Persons	April 2023	Month/Month	Year/Year
North Carolina	178,853	-4,221	+6,517

Number of Unemployed Persons