Overall unemployment rate moved up to 3.6% with the biggest shift in Restaurants & Hotels, which gained 1,000 roles, based on the most recently available information published in June 2022.

Total employment in the Winston-Salem, NC market rose by 1,541 jobs in May and the unemployment rate increased compared to the prior month by 30 bps to 3.6%. The national unemployment rate increased by 4 bps over the same time to 3.4%.

  • Winston-Salem, NC unemployment rate is 22 bps above the national rate which is a negative sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 150 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 5% 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 May 2022

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

  • Education & Healthcare: 57,700; +300
  • Transportation & Utilities: 50,800; -100
  • Manufacturing: 34,400; +300
  • Business Services: 33,600; +200
  • Government: 31,000; no change
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 28,800; +1,000
  • Financial Services: 13,600; no change
  • Construction, Mining: 12,300; +200
  • Other Jobs: 9,000; +100
  • IT & Development: 1,700; no change
Winston-Salem, 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.