Unemployment Rate in North Carolina Drops to 3.6% in June 2026
The unemployment rate in North Carolina saw a slight decrease in June 2026, with the seasonally adjusted rate falling to 3.6 percent. This represents a 0.1 percentage point drop from May’s revised rate. The national unemployment rate also experienced a decrease, moving to 4.2 percent. Compared to a year ago, North Carolina’s unemployment rate has decreased by 0.2 percentage points.
In June 2026, the number of people employed in North Carolina decreased by 12,684, bringing the total to 5,073,245. The number of unemployed individuals decreased by 4,567 over the month, totaling 189,968. On an annual basis, employment figures showed a decrease of 14,850, while unemployment figures fell by 12,879.
The state’s Total Nonfarm employment, as per the monthly establishment survey, increased slightly by 400, reaching 5,115,400. Industries such as Construction, Private Education & Health Services, and Professional & Business Services reported job increases. Conversely, sectors like Trade, Transportation & Utilities, and Leisure & Hospitality Services saw declines in employment numbers. Mining & Logging employment remained unchanged over the reported period.
Over the year since June 2025, Total Nonfarm jobs in North Carolina increased by 62,900. The Total Private sector saw an increase of 58,500 jobs, while Government employment rose by 4,400. Notable industry gains were observed in Private Education & Health Services and Leisure & Hospitality Services, among others. However, Manufacturing and Information sectors experienced notable job losses.
The next update on unemployment rates in North Carolina, detailing county-specific data for June 2026, is scheduled for release on July 29, 2026.
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