July 1. The state’s seasonally adjusted May 2024 unemployment rate was 3.6 percent, increasing 0.1 of a percentage point from April’s revised rate. The national rate increased 0.1 of a percentage point to 4.0 percent.

North Carolina’s unemployment rate increased 0.3 of a percentage point from a year ago. The number of people employed increased 3,965 over the month to 5,079,871 and increased 24,423 over the year. The number of people unemployed increased 803 over the month to 187,503 and increased 14,437 over the year.

Major industries experiencing increases were Leisure & Hospitality Services, 6,800; Professional & Business Services, 6,800; Education & Health Services, 2,600; Other Services, 1,700; Government, 700; Information, 400; and Mining & Logging, 100. Major industries experiencing decreases were Manufacturing, 2,000; Trade, Transportation & Utilities, 1,500; Financial Activities, 700; and Construction, 500

Since May 2023, Total Nonfarm jobs increased 72,400 with the Total Private sector increasing by 57,900 and Government increasing by 14,500. Major industries experiencing increases were Education & Health Services, 21,600; Leisure & Hospitality Services, 20,300; Government, 14,500; Professional & Business Services, 10,600; Construction, 8,300; Financial Activities, 5,700; Other Services, 5,500; and Mining & Logging, 100. Major industries experiencing decreases over the year were Manufacturing, 7,400; Trade, Transportation & Utilities, 3,900; and Information, 2,900.