Overall unemployment rate moved up to 3.4% with the biggest shift in Restaurants & Hotels, which gained 3,400 roles, based on the most recently available information published in June 2022.

Total employment in the Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC market rose by 230 jobs in May and the unemployment rate increased compared to the prior month by 40 bps to 3.4%. The national unemployment rate increased by 4 bps over the same time to 3.4%.

  • Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC unemployment rate is 2 bps above the national rate which is a negative sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 130 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
  • Average wages (per hour) grew in May versus prior month by 13.5% 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 May 2022

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs grew by 0.3% . Key sectors include:

  • Government: 153,500; -1,600
  • Transportation & Utilities: 128,500; +1,200
  • Business Services: 113,600; -1,900
  • Education & Healthcare: 112,400; +600
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 96,500; +3,400
  • Manufacturing: 55,700; +400
  • Construction, Mining: 39,800; +400
  • Financial Services: 37,500; -300
  • Other Jobs: 33,300; +200
  • IT & Development: 9,000; no change
Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC Unemployment by Industry May 2022

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through May 2022 (Data published June 2022 and reports created on June 29, 2022).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.