Overall unemployment rate moved up to 3.4% with the biggest shift in Transportation & Utilities, which gained 2,500 roles, based on the most recently available information published in January 2022.

Total employment in the Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC market declined by 4,648 jobs in November and the unemployment rate increased compared to the prior month by 20 bps to 3.4%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 4 bps over the same time to 3.4%.

  • Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC unemployment rate is 4 bps above the national rate which is a negative 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 November versus prior month by 10.3% and are down 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 November 2022

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

  • Government: 157,100; +2,100
  • Transportation & Utilities: 134,100; +2,500
  • Education & Healthcare: 118,700; +900
  • Business Services: 113,200; -1,500
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 94,800; +300
  • Manufacturing: 57,800; +600
  • Construction, Mining: 41,400; +800
  • Financial Services: 38,500; -400
  • Other Jobs: 33,600; -100
Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC Unemployment by Industry November 2022

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through November 2022 (Data published January 2022 and reports created on January 3, 2022).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.