Overall unemployment rate moved down to 3.2% with the biggest shift in Transportation & Utilities, which gained 7,800 roles, based on the most recently available information published in February 2022.

Total employment in the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC market rose by 9,491 jobs in December and the unemployment rate decreased compared to the prior month by 10 bps to 3.2%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 20 bps over the same time to 3.7%.

  • Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC unemployment rate is 49 bps below the national rate which is a positive sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 280 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
  • Average wages (per hour) grew in December versus prior month by 1% and are up compared to last year at this time in the market.
Month over Month Unemployment Change
Year over Year Unemployment Change
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC Unemployment December 2021

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs grew by 0.7% . Key sectors include:

  • Transportation & Utilities: 268,000; +7,800
  • Business Services: 224,700; -1,000
  • Government: 158,000; +300
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 127,100; +1,400
  • Education & Healthcare: 126,800; +1,000
  • Financial Services: 112,100; +800
  • Manufacturing: 101,500; -700
  • Construction, Mining: 69,100; -1,300
  • Other Jobs: 45,600; +500
  • IT & Development: 24,300; +300
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC Unemployment by Industry December 2021

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through December 2021 (Data published February 2022 and reports created on February 4, 2022).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.