Overall unemployment rate moved down to 3.4% with the biggest shift in Government, which lost 1,600 roles, based on the most recently available information published in August 2022.
Total employment in the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC market rose by 148 jobs in July and the unemployment rate decreased compared to the prior month by 40 bps to 3.4%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 5 bps over the same time to 3.8%.
- Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC unemployment rate is 38 bps below the national rate which is a positive sign.
- Unemployment in the market is 140 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
- Average wages (per hour) grew in July versus prior month by 12.3% and are up compared to last year at this time in the market.
Month over Month Unemployment Change
Year over Year Unemployment Change
For key employment segments of the market, total jobs declined by -1.5%. Key sectors include:
- Manufacturing: 42,000; -100
- Transportation & Utilities: 31,300; +100
- Government: 20,400; -1,600
- Education & Healthcare: 19,000; no change
- Business Services: 14,700; -400
- Restaurants & Hotels: 12,700; -400
- Construction, Mining: 5,300; -100
- Other Jobs: 4,800; +100
- Financial Services: 3,100; no change
- IT & Development: 800; no change
Employment Change by Key Sector
Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through July 2022 (Data published August 2022 and reports created on September 2, 2022). Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.
Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.