Overall unemployment rate moved up to 3.5% with the biggest shift in Transportation & Utilities, which lost 12,300 roles, based on the most recently available information published in March 2023.

Total employment in the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC market rose by 4,175 jobs in January and the unemployment rate increased compared to the prior month by 40 bps to 3.5%. The national unemployment rate increased by 60 bps over the same time to 3.9%.

  • Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC unemployment rate is 36 bps below the national rate which is a positive sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 20 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 2.3% 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 2023

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs declined by -2.0%. Key sectors include:

  • Transportation & Utilities: 273,700; -12,300
  • Business Services: 224,000; -2,700
  • Government: 159,900; -3,400
  • Education & Healthcare: 138,200; -1,600
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 135,900; -6,000
  • Financial Services: 121,800; +200
  • Manufacturing: 110,400; -600
  • Construction, Mining: 75,200; +100
  • Other Jobs: 48,900; -100
  • IT & Development: 26,600; +200
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC Unemployment by Industry January 2023

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through January 2023 (Data published March 2023 and reports created on March 17, 2023).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.