Overall unemployment rate moved up to 3.4% with the biggest shift in Government, which lost 2,500 roles, based on the most recently available information published in August 2022.

Total employment in the Asheville, NC market declined by 2,239 jobs in June and the unemployment rate increased compared to the prior month by 40 bps to 3.4%. The national unemployment rate increased by 46 bps over the same time to 3.8%.

  • Asheville, NC unemployment rate is 44 bps below the national rate which is a positive sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 150 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
  • Average wages (per hour) grew in June versus prior month by 2.3% and are down compared to last year at this time in the market.
Month over Month Unemployment Change
Year over Year Unemployment Change
Asheville, NC Unemployment June 2022

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs declined by -0.6%. Key sectors include:

  • Transportation & Utilities: 37,800; +400
  • Education & Healthcare: 36,700; -200
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 28,200; -300
  • Government: 24,100; -2,500
  • Manufacturing: 22,600; +100
  • Business Services: 21,900; +800
  • Construction, Mining: 10,800; +400
  • Other Jobs: 9,300; no change
  • Financial Services: 6,800; no change
  • IT & Development: 1,900; no change
Asheville, NC Unemployment by Industry June 2022

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through June 2022 (Data published August 2022 and reports created on August 3, 2022).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.