Overall unemployment rate moved up to 3.6% with the biggest shift in Transportation & Utilities, which lost 1,800 roles, based on the most recently available information published in March 2023.

Total employment in the Winston-Salem, NC market rose by 3,976 jobs in January and the unemployment rate increased compared to the prior month by 50 bps to 3.6%. The national unemployment rate increased by 60 bps over the same time to 3.9%.

  • Winston-Salem, NC unemployment rate is 26 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 January versus prior month by 6.9% and are down compared to last year at this time in the market.
Month over Month Unemployment Change
Year over Year Unemployment Change
Winston-Salem, NC Unemployment January 2023

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs declined by -1.0%. Key sectors include:

  • Education & Healthcare: 55,800; -600
  • Transportation & Utilities: 51,900; -1,800
  • Business Services: 35,600; -600
  • Manufacturing: 35,400; +200
  • Government: 31,800; no change
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 29,100; -300
  • Financial Services: 13,800; -100
  • Construction, Mining: 12,300; +200
  • Other Jobs: 9,700; no change
  • IT & Development: 2,000; +100
Winston-Salem, NC Unemployment by Industry January 2023

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through January 2023 (Data published March 2023 and reports created on March 17, 2023).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.