Overall unemployment rate moved down to 3.8% with the biggest shift in Business Services, which gained 900 roles, based on the most recently available information published in April 2021.
Total employment in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC market rose by 2,492 jobs in March and the unemployment rate decreased compared to the prior month by 80 bps to 3.8%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 38 bps over the same time to 6.2%.
- Durham-Chapel Hill, NC unemployment rate is 238 bps below the national rate which is a positive sign.
- Unemployment in the market is 40 bps above the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a negative.
- Average wages (per hour) grew in March versus prior month by 0.9% and are down compared to last year at this time in the market.
For key employment segments of the market, total jobs grew by 0.7% . Key sectors include:
- Education & Healthcare: 71,900; +600
- Government: 63,900; +200
- Business Services: 49,900; +900
- Transportation & Utilities: 39,400; +200
- Manufacturing: 33,300; -100
- Restaurants & Hotels: 20,000; +100
- Financial Services: 16,200; +100
- Other Jobs: 10,800; no change
- Construction, Mining: 9,700; +300
- IT & Development: 5,800; no change
Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through March 2021 (Data published April 2021 and reports created on April 29, 2021). Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.
Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.