Overall unemployment rate moved up to 3.8% with the biggest shift in Transportation & Utilities, which lost 11,600 roles, based on the most recently available information published in March 2022.

Total employment in the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC market declined by 21,807 jobs in January and the unemployment rate increased compared to the prior month by 60 bps to 3.8%. The national unemployment rate increased by 74 bps over the same time to 4.4%.

  • Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC unemployment rate is 63 bps below the national rate which is a positive sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 200 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
  • Average wages (per hour) grew in January versus prior month by 5.2% and are up 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 January 2022

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs declined by -2.4%. Key sectors include:

  • Transportation & Utilities: 267,500; -11,600
  • Business Services: 217,400; -3,800
  • Government: 153,400; -3,900
  • Education & Healthcare: 127,700; -1,900
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 123,200; -5,000
  • Financial Services: 114,400; -400
  • Manufacturing: 105,800; -900
  • Construction, Mining: 69,400; -1,500
  • Other Jobs: 45,600; -900
  • IT & Development: 24,600; -200
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC Unemployment by Industry January 2022

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through January 2022 (Data published March 2022 and reports created on March 18, 2022).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.