North Carolina's November Employment Figures Released

Raleigh, N.C. - The state’s seasonally adjusted November 2025 unemployment rate was 3.8 percent. The national rate was 4.6 percent. October 2025 data are unavailable due to the lapse in appropriations.

North Carolina’s unemployment rate increased 0.1 of a percentage point from a year ago. The number of people employed increased 5,325 over the year. The number of people unemployed increased 7,465 over the year.                                                                      

Seasonally adjusted Total Nonfarm employment, as gathered through the monthly establishment survey, increased 3,300 to 5,119,900 in November. Major industries experiencing increases were Construction, 1,900; Leisure & Hospitality Services, 1,600; Professional & Business Services, 1,600; Trade, Transportation & Utilities, 1,200; Financial Activities, 800; Other Services, 300; and Information, 200. Major industries experiencing decreases were Private Education & Health Services, 3,400; Government, 400; Manufacturing, 400; and Mining & Logging, 100. 

Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates since November 2024

Since November 2024, Total Nonfarm jobs increased 87,900 with the Total Private sector increasing by 87,200 and Government increasing by 700. Major industries experiencing increases were Professional & Business Services, 20,100; Private Education & Health Services, 19,000; Leisure & Hospitality Services, 14,800; Construction, 14,500; Trade, Transportation & Utilities, 13,800; Financial Activities, 6,800; Other Services, 4,700; Government, 700; and Mining & Logging, 200. Major industries experiencing decreases over the year were Manufacturing, 5,700; and Information, 1,000.

The next unemployment update is scheduled for Friday, January 16, 2026 when the county unemployment rates for November 2025 will be released.