March 28. The state’s seasonally adjusted February 2025 unemployment rate was 3.7 percent, unchanged from January’s revised rate. The national rate increased 0.1 of a percentage point to 4.1 percent.

North Carolina’s unemployment rate increased 0.2 of a percentage point from a year ago. The number of people employed increased 3,448 over the month to 5,098,782 and increased 3,285 over the year. The number of people unemployed decreased 1,813 over the month to 195,627 and increased 9,410 over the year.

Seasonally adjusted Total Nonfarm employment increased 10,200 to 5,063,200 in February. Major industries experiencing increases were Trade, Transportation & Utilities, 2,800; Education & Health Services, 2,500; Construction, 1,600; Other Services, 1,200; Leisure & Hospitality Services, 1,100; Professional & Business Services, 900; Government, 700; Financial Activities, 600; and Mining & Logging, 200. Major industries experiencing decreases were Manufacturing, 1,200; and Information, 200.

Since February 2024, Total Nonfarm jobs increased 64,900 with the Total Private sector increasing by 49,700 and Government increasing by 15,200. Major industries experiencing increases were Education & Health Services, 23,100; Government, 15,200; Professional & Business Services, 11,000; Trade, Transportation & Utilities, 9,700; Construction, 7,000; Other Services, 3,800; Financial Activities, 3,000; Leisure & Hospitality Services, 2,200; and Mining & Logging, 200. Major industries experiencing decreases over the year were Manufacturing, 9,000; and Information, 1,300.