Overall unemployment rate moved down to 3.6% with the biggest shift in Education & Healthcare, which gained 3,000 roles, based on the most recently available information published in December 2021.

Total employment in the Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC market rose by 4,465 jobs in October and the unemployment rate decreased compared to the prior month by 20 bps to 3.6%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 30 bps over the same time to 4.3%.

  • Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC unemployment rate is 66 bps below the national rate which is a positive sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 300 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
  • Average wages (per hour) grew in October versus prior month by 2.8% and are up compared to last year at this time in the market.
Month over Month Unemployment Change
Year over Year Unemployment Change
Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC Unemployment October 2021

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs grew by 0.5% . Key sectors include:

  • Government: 155,400; -500
  • Transportation & Utilities: 133,900; +2,900
  • Business Services: 113,800; -600
  • Education & Healthcare: 107,400; +3,000
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 82,300; +100
  • Manufacturing: 54,400; -1,000
  • Construction, Mining: 39,900; -800
  • Financial Services: 38,300; +100
  • Other Jobs: 32,400; +200
  • IT & Development: 9,100; +100
Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC Unemployment by Industry October 2021

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through October 2021 (Data published December 2021 and reports created on December 2, 2021).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.