North Carolina's July Employment Figures Released

Raleigh, N.C. - The state’s seasonally adjusted July 2026 unemployment rate was 3.6 percent, remaining unchanged from June’s revised rate. The national rate decreased 0.1 of a percentage point to 4.1 percent.

North Carolina’s unemployment rate decreased 0.3 of a percentage point from a year ago. The number of people employed decreased 21,291 over the month to 5,051,914 and decreased 38,951 over the year. The number of people unemployed decreased 3,820 over the month to 186,120 and decreased 17,752 over the year. 

Seasonally adjusted Total Nonfarm employment, as gathered through the monthly establishment survey, decreased 700 to 5,112,000 in July. Major industries experiencing increases were Professional & Business Services, 6,100; Construction, 800; and Information, 100. Major industries experiencing decreases were Private Education & Health Services 3,800; Manufacturing 1,000; Other Services, 900; Leisure and Hospitality Services, 800; Financial Activities, 500; Government, 300; Trade, Transportation & Utilities, 300; and Mining & Logging, 100. 

Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates since July 2025

Estimates are subject to monthly and annual revisions

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

Since July 2025, Total Nonfarm jobs increased 51,600 with the Total Private sector increasing by 48,400 and Government increasing by 3,200. Major industries experiencing increases were Professional & Business Services, 19,400; Construction, 15,400; Private Education & Health Services, 15,000; Leisure & Hospitality Services, 12,400; Government, 3,200; and Financial Activities, 1,400. Major industries experiencing decreases over the year were Manufacturing, 9,900; Information, 3,300; Trade, Transportation & Utilities, 1,600; Other Services, 300; and Mining & Logging, 100. 

The next unemployment update is scheduled for Wednesday, September 2, 2026 when the county unemployment rates for July 2026 will be released.