March 18. The state’s unemployment rate in January was 3.7 percent, unchanged from December’s revised rate. The national rate decreased 0.1 of a percentage point to 4.0 percent.

NC unemployment increased 0.2 of a percentage point from a year ago. The number of people employed increased 5,845 over the month to 5,095,312 and increased 672 over the year. The number of people unemployed increased 1,247 over the month to 197,455 and increased 10,836 over the year.

Seasonally adjusted Total Nonfarm employment, as gathered through the monthly establishment survey, increased 7,700 to 5,052,000 in January. Major industries experiencing increases were Trade, Transportation & Utilities, 3,200; Education & Health Services, 2,600; Professional & Business Services, 1,800; Other Services, 1,400; Financial Activities, 1,100; Construction, 1,000; Government, 400; and Information, 100. Major industries experiencing decreases were Leisure & Hospitality Services, 3,800; and Mining & Logging, 100.

Manufacturing employment remained unchanged.