Overall unemployment rate moved down to 5.8% with the biggest shift in Business Services, which lost 1,900 roles, based on the most recently available information published in March 2021.

Total employment in the Winston-Salem, NC market declined by 1,539 jobs in January and the unemployment rate decreased compared to the prior month by 10 bps to 5.8%. The national unemployment rate increased by 31 bps over the same time to 6.8%.

  • Winston-Salem, NC unemployment rate is 101 bps below the national rate which is a positive sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 190 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 4.1% and are down compared to last year at this time in the market.
Month over Month Unemployment Change
Year over Year Unemployment Change
Winston-Salem, NC Unemployment January 2021

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

  • Education & Healthcare: 54,500; -400
  • Transportation & Utilities: 49,200; -1,300
  • Business Services: 33,500; -1,900
  • Manufacturing: 32,800; -300
  • Government: 29,600; -400
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 23,700; -600
  • Financial Services: 12,800; -200
  • Construction, Mining: 11,800; -100
  • Other Jobs: 8,200; +100
  • IT & Development: 1,600; no change
Winston-Salem, NC 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.