North Carolina’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for July 2025 remained at 3.7 percent, the same as June’s revised figure, according to new data released by state officials. The national unemployment rate increased slightly to 4.2 percent.
Compared to July of last year, North Carolina’s unemployment rate has risen by 0.1 percentage point. Over the past month, the number of employed people in the state grew by 664 to a total of 5,090,536, while the number of unemployed decreased by 1,844 to reach 195,068. However, over the year, employment fell by 3,550 and unemployment rose by 2,157.
Total Nonfarm employment in North Carolina declined by 1,500 jobs in July to reach a level of 5,094,600. Several sectors saw job gains during the month: Private Education & Health Services added 2,500 jobs; Government gained 1,100; Information and Trade, Transportation & Utilities each increased by 500; Construction and Financial Activities both rose by 200 jobs. In contrast, Professional & Business Services lost 3,000 positions; Manufacturing shed 2,900; Leisure & Hospitality Services declined by 400; and Other Services dropped by 200 jobs. Mining & Logging employment was unchanged.
A review of seasonally adjusted unemployment rates since July last year shows that North Carolina’s rate has held steady at or near its current level for much of the period. The U.S. rate has fluctuated between a low of 4.0 percent and a high of 4.2 percent during that time.
Since July last year, Total Nonfarm jobs in North Carolina have grown by an estimated 83,100 positions—70,300 in the private sector and another 12,800 in government roles. Industries with notable job increases include Private Education & Health Services (24,900), Professional & Business Services (21,800), Government (12,800), Construction (10,000), Leisure & Hospitality Services (8,300), Trade/Transportation/Utilities (6,900), Other Services (4,500), Financial Activities (2,700), and Mining & Logging (100). Manufacturing was the only major industry with an annual decline (-8,900). Information sector employment did not change over the year.
The next update on county-level unemployment rates is scheduled for Wednesday August 27th.
