North Carolina's March Employment Figures Released

Raleigh, N.C. - The state’s seasonally adjusted March 2026 unemployment rate was 3.7 percent, decreasing 0.1 of a percentage point from February’s revised rate. The national rate decreased 0.1 of a percentage point to 4.3 percent. 

North Carolina’s unemployment rate decreased 0.1 of a percentage point from a year ago. The number of people employed decreased 3,097 over the month to 5,107,523 and increased 18,671 over the year. The number of people unemployed decreased 3,946 over the month to 197,113 and decreased 4,109 over the year. 

Seasonally adjusted Total Nonfarm employment, as gathered through the monthly establishment survey, increased 9,400 to 5,078,400 in March. Major industries experiencing increases were Trade, Transportation & Utilities, 4,600; Manufacturing, 2,200; Leisure & Hospitality Services, 1,400; Construction, 800; Financial Activities, 700; and Private Education & Health Services, 200. Major industries experiencing decreases were Government, 200; Information, 100; Mining & Logging, 100; and Other Services, 100. Professional & Business Services employment remained unchanged. 

Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates since March 2025

Since March 2025, Total Nonfarm jobs increased 44,500 with the Total Private sector increasing by 39,200 and Government increasing by 5,300. Major industries experiencing increases were Private Education & Health Services, 21,000; Construction, 11,300; Leisure & Hospitality Services, 8,200; Government, 5,300; Professional & Business Services, 4,500; Financial Activities, 3,100; Trade, Transportation & Utilities, 2,300; and Other Services, 1,200. Major industries experiencing decreases over the year were Manufacturing, 9,800; and Information, 2,600. Mining & Logging employment remained unchanged over the year. The next unemployment update is scheduled for Tuesday, May 19, 2026 when the county unemployment rates for March 2026 will be released.