North Carolina’s March 2026 Unemployment Rate Decreases to 3.7%

North Carolina Sees Slight Drop in Unemployment Rate Amidst National Trends

In March 2026, North Carolina experienced a slight dip in unemployment, reflecting broader national trends. The state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased to 3.7 percent, a 0.1 percentage point decline from the previous month. In comparison, the national unemployment rate also fell by 0.1 percentage points, settling at 4.3 percent.

The state’s current unemployment rate shows a modest decrease from March 2025’s rate, marking a 0.1 percentage point improvement over the year. Despite a decrease of 3,097 in employed individuals over the past month, North Carolina saw an increase of 18,671 employed individuals year-over-year. Conversely, the number of unemployed decreased by 3,946 over the month and by 4,109 over the year.

Sectoral Employment Changes

The total number of nonfarm jobs in North Carolina rose by 9,400 in March, reaching 5,078,400. The Trade, Transportation & Utilities sector led the way with an increase of 4,600 jobs. Manufacturing followed with a gain of 2,200 positions, while Leisure & Hospitality Services added 1,400 jobs. Other sectors with notable growth included Construction (800 jobs), Financial Activities (700 jobs), and Private Education & Health Services (200 jobs).

On the flip side, some industries experienced job losses. Government jobs saw a reduction of 200, while the Information, Mining & Logging, and Other Services sectors each lost 100 jobs. The Professional & Business Services sector remained stable with no net change in employment.

Annual Employment Trends

Since March 2025, there has been a cumulative increase of 44,500 nonfarm jobs in North Carolina, with the private sector accounting for 39,200 of these new positions. Government jobs rose by 5,300 during the same period. Significant employment gains were observed in the Private Education & Health Services sector, which added 21,000 jobs. Construction saw a boost of 11,300 positions, while Leisure & Hospitality Services increased by 8,200 jobs.

Despite these gains, the Manufacturing sector faced a notable decline, losing 9,800 jobs over the year. The Information sector also saw a reduction of 2,600 jobs. Mining & Logging employment remained unchanged throughout the year.

The next update on unemployment, detailing county-specific rates for March 2026, is expected on Tuesday, May 19, 2026. For further details, visit the official website.