May 19. The state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate fell slightly to 3.4 percent from March’s revised rate. The national rate also decreased 0.1 of a percentage point to 3.4 percent.

But the NC unemployment rate was 0.1 of a percentage point higher than a year ago. The number of people employed increased 16,200 over the month to 5,012,688 and increased 24,183 over the year. The number of people unemployed decreased 4,221 over the month to 178,853 and increased 6,517 over the year.

Total Non-farm employment increased 3,600 to 4,891,300 in April.

Expansion

Industries experiencing increases were Education & Health Services, 3,000; Trade, Transportation & Utilities, 3,000; Financial Activities, 1,200; Other Services, 700; and Construction, 300.

Decrease

Major industries experiencing decreases were Professional & Business Services, 1,800; Leisure & Hospitality Services, 1,400; Manufacturing, 1,100; Information, 200; and Government, 100.

Mining & Logging employment remained unchanged.