Overall unemployment rate stayed flat with the biggest shift in Transportation & Utilities, which lost 11,000 roles, based on the most recently available information published in March 2021.

Total employment in the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC market rose by 8,814 jobs in January and the unemployment rate stayed flat. The national unemployment rate increased by 31 bps over the same time to 6.8%.

  • Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC unemployment rate is 101 bps below the national rate which is a positive sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 210 bps above the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a negative.
  • Average wages (per hour) grew in January versus prior month by 5% and are down 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 January 2021

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs declined by -1.9%. Key sectors include:

  • Transportation & Utilities: 250,400; -11,000
  • Business Services: 210,700; -1,700
  • Government: 151,900; -4,400
  • Education & Healthcare: 122,300; -700
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 112,600; -1,800
  • Financial Services: 110,300; -1,100
  • Manufacturing: 103,200; -600
  • Construction, Mining: 66,900; -1,800
  • Other Jobs: 42,600; -100
  • IT & Development: 23,100; -100
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC Unemployment by Industry January 2021

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through January 2021 (Data published March 2021 and reports created on March 25, 2021).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.