Overall unemployment rate moved down to 3.5% with the biggest shift in Restaurants & Hotels, which gained 3,000 roles, based on the most recently available information published in April 2022.

Total employment in the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC market rose by 16,853 jobs in March and the unemployment rate decreased compared to the prior month by 20 bps to 3.5%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 39 bps over the same time to 3.8%.

  • Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC unemployment rate is 25 bps below the national rate which is a positive sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 160 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
  • Average wages (per hour) grew in March versus prior month by 0.7% and are down 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 March 2022

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs grew by 0.8% . Key sectors include:

  • Transportation & Utilities: 270,700; +600
  • Business Services: 223,300; +200
  • Government: 155,100; +800
  • Education & Healthcare: 131,000; +1,400
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 128,300; +3,000
  • Financial Services: 117,100; +700
  • Manufacturing: 107,500; +700
  • Construction, Mining: 72,500; +2,500
  • Other Jobs: 46,700; +500
  • IT & Development: 24,700; +100
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC Unemployment by Industry March 2022

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through March 2022 (Data published April 2022 and reports created on April 27, 2022).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.