Overall unemployment rate moved down to 2.7% with the biggest shift in Restaurants & Hotels, which gained 4,700 roles, based on the most recently available information published in June 2023.

Total employment in the Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC market rose by 4,623 jobs in April and the unemployment rate decreased compared to the prior month by 40 bps to 2.7%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 53 bps over the same time to 3.1%.

  • Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC unemployment rate is 40 bps below the national rate which is a positive sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is equal to the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time.
  • Average wages (per hour) grew in April versus prior month by 8.3% and are up compared to last year at this time in the market.
Month over Month Unemployment Change
Year over Year Unemployment Change
Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC Unemployment April 2023

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs grew by 0.7% . Key sectors include:

  • Government: 157,700; +500
  • Transportation & Utilities: 127,400; +300
  • Education & Healthcare: 118,200; +400
  • Business Services: 115,400; -900
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 95,600; +4,700
  • Manufacturing: 58,300; no change
  • Construction, Mining: 40,800; -100
  • Financial Services: 40,700; +500
  • Other Jobs: 33,600; +400
  • IT & Development: 9,200; +100
Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC Unemployment by Industry April 2023

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through April 2023 (Data published June 2023 and reports created on June 8,2023).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.