North Carolina September 2026 employment figures released

North Carolina’s unemployment rate decreased 0.5 of a percentage point from a year ago. The number of people employed increased 4,623 over the month to 5,053,743 and decreased 49,720 over the year. The number of people unemployed decreased 2,204 over the month to 179,830 and decreased 24,757 over the year.

Seasonally adjusted Total Nonfarm employment, as gathered through the monthly establishment survey, increased 600 to 5,128,000 in September. Major industries experiencing increases were private education and health services, 3,700; trade, transportation and utilities, 1,400; and other services, 100. Major industries experiencing decreases were professional and business services, 1,500; manufacturing, 1,100; information, 800; construction, 500; leisure and hospitality services, 500; financial activities, 100; and government, 100. Mining and logging employment remained unchanged.

Seasonally adjusted unemployment rates since September 2025

Estimates are subject to monthly and annual revisions*

*October 2025 data are unavailable due to the lapse in appropriations*

Since September 2025, Total Nonfarm jobs increased 67,000, with the total private sector increasing by 63,900 and government increasing by 3,100. Major industries experiencing increases were professional and business services, 25,500; private education and health services, 18,700; construction, 15,900; leisure and hospitality services, 12,800; government, 3,100; trade, transportation and utilities, 2,500; other services, 1,700; and financial activities, 200. Major industries experiencing decreases over the year were manufacturing, 8,800; information, 4,500; and mining and logging, 100.

The next unemployment update is scheduled for Wednesday, October 28, 2026, when the county unemployment rates for September 2026 will be released.