Special to IFN

RALEIGH — North Carolina’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate remained at 3.7 percent in May, unchanged from April’s revised rate. The national rate remained at 4.2 percent.

The Tar Heel State’s unemployment rate increased 0.1 of a percentage point from a year ago.

The number of people employed decreased 5,637 over the month to 5,092,894 and decreased 4,394 over the year. The number of people unemployed increased 284 over the month to 196,576 and increased 6,683 over the year.

Seasonally adjusted Total Nonfarm employment, as gathered through the monthly establishment survey, increased 400 to 5,091,900 in May. Major industries experiencing increases were Construction, 1,600; Trade, Transportation & Utilities, 1,300; Government, 300; Leisure & Hospitality Services, 100; and Private Education & Health Services, 100. Major industries experiencing decreases were Professional & Business Services, 2,200; Manufacturing, 400; Information, 200; Financial Activities, 100; and Other Services, 100. Mining & Logging employment remained unchanged.

Since May 2024, Total Nonfarm jobs increased 67,900 with the Total Private sector increasing by 54,600 and Government increasing by 13,300. Major industries experiencing increases were Private Education & Health Services, 18,100; Professional & Business Services, 15,500; Government, 13,300; Trade, Transportation & Utilities, 13,200; Construction, 7,900; Other Services, 4,800; Financial Activities, 1,300; and Mining & Logging, 200. Major industries experiencing decreases over the year were Manufacturing, 5,400; Information, 800; and Leisure & Hospitality Services, 200.