Overall unemployment rate moved down to 4.3% with the biggest shift in Restaurants & Hotels, which gained 6,000 roles, based on the most recently available information published in June 2021.

Total employment in the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC market declined by 674 jobs in May and the unemployment rate decreased compared to the prior month by 10 bps to 4.3%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 25 bps over the same time to 5.5%.

  • Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC unemployment rate is 120 bps below the national rate which is a positive sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 960 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
  • Average wages (per hour) grew in May versus prior month by 2.6% 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 May 2021

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

  • Transportation & Utilities: 250,900; +1,900
  • Business Services: 214,200; +1,000
  • Government: 153,700; -1,800
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 128,300; +6,000
  • Education & Healthcare: 121,400; -500
  • Financial Services: 109,800; +800
  • Manufacturing: 103,300; +100
  • Construction, Mining: 70,000; +1,100
  • Other Jobs: 43,600; +100
  • IT & Development: 23,400; no change
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC Unemployment by Industry May 2021

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through May 2021 (Data published June 2021 and reports created on June 30, 2021).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.