Overall unemployment rate moved up to 3.6% with the biggest shift in Education & Healthcare, which gained 1,500 roles, based on the most recently available information published in September 2022.

Total employment in the Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC market declined by 7,227 jobs in August and the unemployment rate increased compared to the prior month by 30 bps to 3.6%. The national unemployment rate stayed flat over the same time period at 3.8%.

  • Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC unemployment rate is 19 bps below the national rate which is a positive sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 100 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
  • Average wages (per hour) grew in August versus prior month by 12.8% 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 August 2022

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs grew by 0.4% . Key sectors include:

  • Government: 150,300; +1,100
  • Transportation & Utilities: 130,500; +200
  • Education & Healthcare: 115,800; +1,500
  • Business Services: 115,100; +1,300
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 102,100; -1,400
  • Manufacturing: 56,300; +100
  • Construction, Mining: 41,200; +400
  • Financial Services: 38,900; -300
  • Other Jobs: 33,400; +100
  • IT & Development: 9,000; no change
Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC Unemployment by Industry August 2022

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through August 2022 (Data published September 2022 and reports created on September 28, 2022).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.