Raleigh, N.C. — The state’s seasonally adjusted November unemployment rate was 4.3 percent, increasing 0.2 of a percentage point from October’s revised rate. The national rate remained unchanged at 4.1 percent.
North Carolina’s November 2017 unemployment rate decreased 0.9 of a percentage point from a year ago. The number of people employed decreased 3,262 over the month to 4,739,461 and increased 81,649 over the year. The number of people unemployed increased 9,654 over the month to 213,437 and decreased 41,228 over the year.
Seasonally adjusted Total Nonfarm industry employment, as gathered through the monthly establishment survey, increased 2,900 to 4,446,500 in November. The major industries with the largest over-the-month increases were Professional & Business Services at 4,600, followed by Other Services, 1,100; Manufacturing, 900; Construction, 200; and Education & Health Services, 100. Major industries experiencing decreases were Financial Activities, 1,600; Leisure & Hospitality Services, 1,500; Information, 400; Trade, Transportation & Utilities, 400; and Government, 100. Mining & Logging industry employment remained unchanged over the month.
Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates since November 2016
| Nov 2016 | Dec 2016 | Jan 2017 | Feb 2017 | Mar 2017 | Apr 2017 | May 2017 | June 2017 | July 2017 | Aug 2017 | Sep 2017 | Oct 2017 | Nov 2017 | |
| N.C. | 5.2 | 5.2 | 5.3 | 5.1 | 4.9 | 4.7 | 4.5 | 4.2 | 4.1 | 4.1 | 4.1 | 4.1 | 4.3 |
| U.S. | 4.6 | 4.7 | 4.8 | 4.7 | 4.5 | 4.4 | 4.3 | 4.4 | 4.3 | 4.4 | 4.2 | 4.1 | 4.1 |
* Please note: 2016 Numbers Have Been Annually Revised *
Since November 2016, Total Nonfarm jobs gained 71,500 with the Total Private sector growing by 62,400 and Government increasing by 9,100. The largest over-the-year increase among major industries was Professional & Business Services at 34,600, followed by Education & Health Services, 18,300; Trade, Transportation & Utilities, 9,500; Government, 9,100; Leisure & Hospitality Services, 4,000; Other Services, 2,800; Manufacturing, 600; and Mining & Logging, 200. Major industries experiencing decreases were Information, 4,000; Construction, 3,100; and Financial Activities, 500.
The next unemployment update is scheduled for Thursday, January 4, 2018 when the county unemployment rates for November 2017 will be released.