The LEAD Feed
NC’s January Unemployment Rate Increases
North Carolina's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased 0.1 of a percentage point to 3.8 percent from December’s seasonally adjusted rate of 3.7 percent.
Better with a Bachelor’s? Employment and Wages of UNC Graduates versus Leavers
In this article we examine whether graduating from college and earning a Bachelor’s degree yields better outcomes than enrolling in college but not graduating. We find that college graduates are more likely to find work and tend to earn higher wages than those who do not finish college.
The Labor Market for Former Offenders in North Carolina
Former offenders are primarily employed in industry sectors that are relatively low-paying or slow-growing. This article describes the sectors where individuals recently released from state prison tend to find work, including their pay levels and growth prospects, and lists some promising entry-level occupations incarcerated persons might want to consider as they prepare to re-enter the labor market.
December Unemployment Rates Increase in Most NC Counties
In December, not seasonally adjusted unemployment rates increased in 99 of North Carolina's 100 counties.
Construction Jobs and Women in the Workforce: A Follow-Up to ncIMPACT
LEAD’s senior economist was recently interviewed in an episode of UNC-TV’s ncIMPACT program covering women in the construction trades. Here are two key things you need to know about construction jobs and women in North Carolina’s workforce.
Diverging Doctorates? Labor Market Outcomes of Professional and Academic Doctoral Programs in North Carolina
In this article, we focus broadly on doctoral recipients in North Carolina. How do both academic/research and professional/practice doctoral recipients fare after receiving their degrees? We look at both enrollment trends and wage outcomes for doctoral graduates of the University of North Carolina system, based on our recent evaluation report using longitudinal data from the Common Follow-up System (CFS).
NC’s December Unemployment Rate Unchanged
North Carolina's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate remained unchanged from November’s revised rate of 3.6 percent.
Pathways to Re-Entry: Former Offenders in North Carolina’s Workforce System
Former offenders face barriers to re-entering the labor market after release from prison. This article describes the workforce programs available to offenders during and after incarceration in North Carolina, and reports the employment outcomes of those who participate in these programs, showing that these programs can be important pathways to re-entry.
Are North Carolina’s wages growing like the nation’s?
While U.S. wage growth remains slow, you may have read that it’s picked up steam in recent months. We’re interested in the extent to which that’s true in North Carolina and where it might be happening in our state’s economy.
Introducing your 2019 North Carolina Statewide Star Jobs!
LEAD’s career rating system has been updated for the new 2026 projections. This entry will describe the changes and where you can find more career information.