Transcript
For Immediate Release: October 20, 2015
For More Information, Contact: Kim Genardo/919.733.3438
North Carolina’s September Employment Figures Released
RALEIGH — The state’s seasonally adjusted September unemployment rate was 5.8 percent,
decreasing 0.1 of a percentage point from August’s revised rate. The national rate remained unchanged
at 5.1 percent.
North Carolina’s September 2015 unemployment rate was unchanged from a year ago. The number
of people employed increased 3,670 over the month to 4,476,319 and increased 118,509 over the year.
The number of people unemployed decreased 4,664 over the month to 276,072, and increased 7,090
over the year.
Seasonally adjusted Total Nonfarm industry employment, as gathered through the monthly
establishment survey, increased 4,700 to 4,259,600 in September. The major industry with the largest
over-the-month increase was Leisure & Hospitality Services at 4,000, followed by Financial Activities,
3,100; Education & Health Services, 2,800; Professional & Business Services, 1,900; and Other
Services, 700. Major industries experiencing decreases were Construction, 3,300; Government, 1,600;
Manufacturing, 1,000; Trade, Transportation & Utilities, 900; Information, 700; and Mining &
Logging, 300.
Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates since September 2014
Sep
Oct Nov Dec
Jan
Feb Mar Apr May Jun
Jul
Aug Sep
2014 2014 2014 2014 2015 2015 2015 2015 2015 2015 2015 2015 2015
N.C.
5.8
5.7
5.5
5.4
5.3
5.3
5.4
5.5
5.7
5.8
5.9
5.9
5.8
U.S.
5.9
5.7
5.8
5.6
5.7
5.5
5.5
5.4
5.5
5.3
5.3
5.1
5.1
*2014 Numbers Have Been Annually Revised*
Since September 2014, Total Nonfarm jobs gained 107,600 with the Total Private sector growing by
111,000 and Government decreasing by 3,400. The largest over-the-year increase among major
industries was Professional & Business Services at 21,600, followed by Leisure & Hospitality Services,
18,700; Trade, Transportation & Utilities, 16,600; Education & Health Services, 15,500;
Manufacturing, 11,900; Construction, 10,100; Financial Activities, 8,800; Other Services, 6,600; and
Information, 1,500. Major industries experiencing a decrease over the year were Government, 3,400;
and Mining & Logging, 300.
The next unemployment update is scheduled for Wednesday, October 28, 2015 when the county
unemployment rates for September 2015 will be released.
This information may be accessed on the Commerce website at http://www.nccommerce.com/lead
North Carolina data is embargoed until 10:00 A.M. Tuesday, October 20, 2015
Month Ago
Numeric
Percent
Change
September 2014 Change
September 2015 August 2015
North Carolina
(Local Area Unemployment Statistics)
Year Ago
Numeric
Percent
Change
Change
Smoothed Seasonally Adjusted
Labor Force
4,752,391
4,753,385
4,626,792
-994
> -0.1
125,599
2.7
Employed
4,476,319
4,472,649
4,357,810
3,670
0.1
118,509
2.7
276,072
280,736
268,982
-4,664
-1.7
7,090
2.6
5.8
5.9
5.8
-0.1
xxx
0.0
xxx
Labor Force
4,753,812
4,748,197
4,641,566
5,615
0.1
112,246
2.4
Employed
4,496,725
4,459,568
4,379,832
37,157
0.8
116,893
2.7
257,087
288,629
261,734
-31,542
-10.9
-4,647
-1.8
5.4
6.1
5.6
-0.7
xxx
-0.2
xxx
Labor Force
156,715,000
157,065,000
155,845,000
-350,000
-0.2
xxx
xxx
Employed
148,800,000
149,036,000
146,607,000
-236,000
-0.2
xxx
xxx
7,915,000
8,029,000
9,237,000
-114,000
-1.4
xxx
xxx
5.1
5.1
5.9
0.0
xxx
xxx
xxx
Labor Force
156,607,000
157,390,000
155,903,000
-783,000
-0.5
xxx
xxx
Employed
148,980,000
149,228,000
146,941,000
-248,000
-0.2
xxx
xxx
7,628,000
8,162,000
8,962,000
-534,000
-6.5
xxx
xxx
4.9
5.2
5.7
-0.3
xxx
xxx
xxx
Unemployed
Unemployment Rate
Not Seasonally Adjusted
Unemployed
Unemployment Rate
United States
(Current Population Survey)
Seasonally Adjusted
Unemployed
Unemployment Rate
Not Seasonally Adjusted
Unemployed
Unemployment Rate
*Effective January 2015, updated US population estimates are used in the national labor force estimates,
The annual population adjustments affect the comparability of national labor force estimates over time.
2015 estimates for the current month are preliminary. Estimates for the previous month have undergone monthly revision.
2014 estimates have undergone annual revision.
North Carolina data is embargoed until 10:00 A.M., Tuesday, October 20, 2015
Month Ago
September 2015
August 2015
September 2014
Numeric
Change
Year Ago
Percent
Change
Numeric
Change
Percent
Change
North Carolina
(Current Employment Statistics)
Seasonally Adjusted
Total Nonfarm
4,259,600
4,254,900
4,152,000
4,700
0.1
107,600
2.6
Total Private
3,548,900
3,542,600
3,437,900
6,300
0.2
111,000
3.2
5,200
5,500
5,500
-300
-5.5
-300
-5.5
Construction
189,700
193,000
179,600
-3,300
-1.7
10,100
5.6
Manufacturing
461,600
462,600
449,700
-1,000
-0.2
11,900
2.6
Trade, Transportation & Utilities
795,100
796,000
778,500
-900
-0.1
16,600
2.1
74,700
75,400
73,200
-700
-0.9
1,500
2.0
Financial Activities
222,300
219,200
213,500
3,100
1.4
8,800
4.1
Professional & Business Services
598,000
596,100
576,400
1,900
0.3
21,600
3.7
Education & Health Services
584,100
581,300
568,600
2,800
0.5
15,500
2.7
Leisure & Hospitality Services
462,000
458,000
443,300
4,000
0.9
18,700
4.2
Other Services
156,200
155,500
149,600
700
0.5
6,600
4.4
Government
710,700
712,300
714,100
-1,600
-0.2
-3,400
-0.5
Total Nonfarm
4,269,000
4,260,600
4,170,400
8,400
0.2
98,600
2.4
Total Private
3,555,000
3,578,300
3,455,000
-23,300
-0.7
100,000
2.9
5,300
5,600
5,600
-300
-5.4
-300
-5.4
Construction
192,900
195,100
182,600
-2,200
-1.1
10,300
5.6
Manufacturing
463,100
463,900
451,800
-800
-0.2
11,300
2.5
Trade, Transportation & Utilities
789,900
796,500
776,600
-6,600
-0.8
13,300
1.7
74,600
76,300
72,700
-1,700
-2.2
1,900
2.6
Financial Activities
222,900
223,700
214,000
-800
-0.4
8,900
4.2
Professional & Business Services
600,900
601,700
580,800
-800
-0.1
20,100
3.5
Education & Health Services
582,200
576,200
569,200
6,000
1.0
13,000
2.3
Leisure & Hospitality Services
467,600
482,600
451,900
-15,000
-3.1
15,700
3.5
Other Services
155,600
156,700
149,800
-1,100
-0.7
5,800
3.9
Government
714,000
682,300
715,400
31,700
4.6
-1,400
-0.2
Mining & Logging
Information
North Carolina
(Current Employment Statistics)
Not Seasonally Adjusted
Mining & Logging
Information
Mfg. Production Workers (PW) Not Seasonally Adjusted
Mfg. PW Average Hourly Earnings
Mfg. PW Hours Worked
$17.04
$17.05
$16.66
41.8
42.1
43.9
All 2015 Labor Force and CES data for the current month are preliminary.
All 2014 Labor Force and CES estimates have been benchmarked.
Estimates may not add to totals due to rounding.
September
2015
North Carolina
Labor Market Conditions
The North Carolina smoothed seasonally adjusted
unemployment rate was 5.8 percent in September, decreasing
0.1 of percentage point from the previous month, and remaining
unchanged from September 2014. Over the month, the number
of persons unemployed fell by 4,664 (1.7%). The civilian labor
force decreased by 994 (>-0.1%) to 4,752,391.
United States/North Carolina Unemployment Rates
September 2014–September 2015
(Smoothed Seasonally Adjusted**)
7.0
6.0
5.9 5.8
Percent
5.0
5.7 5.7 5.8
5.5 5.6 5.4
5.7
5.3
5.5
5.3
5.5 5.4 5.4 5.5 5.5
5.7
5.9
5.8
5.3
5.3
5.9
5.1
5.8
5.1
4.0
3.0
2.0
1.0
0.0
Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec. Jan. Feb. March April May June July Aug. Sept.
2014 2014 2014 2014 2015 2015 2015 2015 2015 2015 2015 2015 2015
United States
North Carolina
**US data are not smoothed.
North Carolina Total Nonfarm Employment
September 2014–September 2015
(Seasonally Adjusted)
4,300
In Thousands
4,250
Seasonally adjusted Total Nonfarm industry employment
(4,259,600) increased 4,700 (0.1%) since August 2015,
and 107,600 (2.6%) since September 2014.1 Private sector
employment grew over the month by 6,300 (0.2%), and by
111,000 (3.2%) over the year.
Of the major industries for which payroll data are seasonally
adjusted, Leisure & Hospitality Services had the largest overthe-month gain in jobs (4,000; 0.9%), followed by Financial
Activities (3,100; 1.4%), Education & Health Services (2,800;
0.5%), Professional & Business Services (1,900; 0.3%), and
Other Services (700; 0.5%). Construction (3,300; 1.7%)
reported the largest over-the-month decrease, followed by
Government (1,600; 0.2%), Manufacturing (1,000; 0.2%),
Trade, Transportation & Utilities (900; 0.1%), Information (700;
0.9%), and Mining & Logging (300; 5.5%).
4,200
4,150
4,100
4,050
4,000
Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec. Jan. Feb. March April May June July Aug. Sept.
2014 2014 2014 2014 2015 2015 2015 2015 2015 2015 2015 2015 2015
(Seasonally Adjusted)
900
Since September 2014, Professional & Business Services
added the largest number of jobs (21,600; 3.7%), followed
by Leisure & Hospitality Services (18,700; 4.2%), Trade,
Transportation & Utilities (16,600; 2.1%), Education & Health
Services (15,500; 2.7%), Manufacturing (11,900; 2.6%),
Construction (10,100; 5.6%), Financial Activities (8,800; 4.1%),
Other Services (6,600; 4.4%), and Information (1,500; 2.0%).
Government reported the largest over-the-year loss of 3,400
(0.5%), followed by Mining & Logging (300; 5.5%).
1
It is important to note that industry employment estimates are subject to large
seasonal patterns. Seasonal adjustment factors are applied to the data. However, these
factors may not be fully capturing the seasonal trend. Therefore, when interpreting the
changes in industry employment, it is advisable to focus on over-the-year changes in both
the seasonally adjusted and not seasonally adjusted series.
Changes in Employment by NAICS Industries
September 2014 Compared to September 2015
+16.6
800
-3.4
700
In Thousands
Nationally, September’s unemployment rate was 5.1 percent.
The number of persons unemployed was 7,915,000, while the
civilian labor force was 156,715,000.
+21.6
600
+15.5
+11.9
500
+18.7
400
300
200
+8.8
+10.1
100
0
+6.6
+1.5
Construction
Manufacturing
Trade,
Transportation
& Utilities
Information
Financial
Activities
September 2014
Professional
& Business
Services
Education &
Health
Services
Leisure &
Hospitality
Services
Other Services
Government
September 2015
*N.C. current month data are preliminary, while all other 2015 data are revised, and 2014 data have undergone annual revision. U.S. data have undergone annual revision.
Labor & Economic Analysis | North Carolina Department of Commerce | 1 of 2
North Carolina Labor Market Conditions
Over the year, the Service Providing sector (all industries
except Mining & Logging, Construction, and Manufacturing)
showed an increase of 77,300 (2.2%) jobs. Professional &
Business Services experienced the largest employment
increase at 20,100 (3.5%), followed by Leisure & Hospitality
Services (15,700; 3.5%), Trade, Transportation & Utilities
(13,300; 1.7%), Education & Health Services (13,000; 2.3%),
Financial Activities (8,900; 4.2%), Other Services (5,800;
3.9%) and Information (1,900; 2.6%). Government (1,400;
0.2%) had the only over-the-year decrease.
The Goods Producing sector grew by 21,300 (3.3%) jobs
over the year. Manufacturing (11,300; 2.5%) and Construction
(10,300; 5.6%) both reported increases. Mining & Logging
reported a decrease of 300 (5.4%).
Food had the largest manufacturing employment with 52,000
in September 2015. Fabricated Metal Product had the largest
net over-the-year increase at 3,200. Other manufacturing
industries with gains were: Furniture & Related Product,
2,400; Plastics & Rubber Products, 2,200; Transportation
Equipment, 1,400; Machinery, 1,200; Wood Product, 1,000;
Chemical, 300; and Electrical Equipment, Appliance &
Component, 100.
Average Weekly Hours for manufacturing production workers
in September decreased 18 minutes from August’s revised rate
of 42.1. Average Hourly Earnings fell by $0.01 to $17.04, as
Average Weekly Earnings declined $5.54 to $712.27.
Regular Initial Claims for Unemployment Insurance (UI) totaled
15,934 in September, decreasing 365 from August. Less than
1 percent of Initial Claims for September 2015 were “attached”
to a payroll, meaning that employees expect to be recalled to
their jobs.
A total of $19,999,002 in regular UI benefits was paid in
September to 23,953 claimants statewide — a decrease of
4,828 claimants since August 2015.
For the 12-month period ending September 2015, $302,424,593
was paid under the Regular UI Program. The UI Trust Fund
balance at the end of September was $757,839,064. The State
Reserve Fund balance was $202,050,128.
Selected Manufacturing Industries With Job Gains
September 2014–September 2015
(Not Seasonally Adjusted)
4.0
3.2
In Thousands
3.0
2.4
2.2
2.0
1.4
1.2
1.0
1.0
0.0
Fabricated
Metal Product
Furniture &
Related
Product
Plastics &
Rubber
Transportation
Equipment
Machinery
Wood
Product
Selected Service Industries With Job Gains
September 2014–September 2015
(Not Seasonally Adjusted)
20.0
15.0
In Thousands
The September 2015 not seasonally adjusted Total Nonfarm
employment level of 4,269,000 was 8,400 (0.2%) more than
the August 2015 revised employment level of 4,260,600.
Among the major industries in North Carolina, Government
had the largest over-the-month increase in employment at
31,700 (4.6%), followed by Education & Health Services
(6,000; 1.0%). Leisure & Hospitality Services (15,000; 3.1%)
had the largest over-the-month decrease, followed by Trade,
Transportation & Utilities (6,600; 0.8%), Construction (2,200;
1.1%), Information (1,700; 2.2%), Other Services (1,100; 0.7%),
Professional & Business Services (800; 0.1%), Financial
Activities (800; 0.4%), Manufacturing (800; 0.2%), and Mining
& Logging (300; 5.4%).
13.5
13.4
9.9
10.0
8.1
7.1
5.4
5.0
0.0
Admin &
Professional,
Accom. & Health Care &
Waste Mgmt. Scientific &
Food Services
Social
Tech.
Assistance
Retail Trade
Finance &
Insurance
UI Taxes Collected and NC Regular UI Benefits Paid
September 2014–September 2015
$2,000,000,000
$1,572,772,873
$1,500,000,000
$1,000,000,000
$500,000,000
$302,424,593
$3,163,048
$0
UI Taxes Collected
UI Benefits Paid
Interest Received
Labor & Economic Analysis | North Carolina Department of Commerce | 2 of 2
Technical Notes
This release presents labor force and unemployment estimates from the Local Area Unemployment
Statistics (LAUS) program. Also presented are nonfarm payroll employment estimates the Current
Employment Statistics (CES) program. The LAUS and CES programs are both federal-state
cooperative endeavors.
Labor force and unemployment--from the LAUS program
Definitions. The labor force and unemployment estimates are based on the same concepts and
definitions as those used for the official national estimates obtained from the Current Population
Survey (CPS), a sample survey of households that is conducted for the Bureau of Labor Statistics
(BLS) by the U.S. Census Bureau. The LAUS program measures employment and unemployment on
a place-of-residence basis. The universe for each is the civilian noninstitutional population 16 years
of age and over. Employed persons are those who did any work at all for pay or profit in
the reference week (the week including the 12th of the month) or worked 15 hours or more without
pay in a family business or farm, plus those not working who had a job from which they were
temporarily absent, whether or not paid, for such reasons as bad weather, labor-management dispute,
illness, or vacation. Unemployed persons are those who were not employed during the reference
week (based on the definition above), had actively looked for a job sometime in the 4-week period
ending with the reference week, and were currently available for work; persons on lay-off expecting
recall need not be looking for work to be counted as unemployed. The labor force is the sum of
employed and unemployed persons. The unemployment rate is the number of unemployed as a
percent of the labor force.
Method of estimation. Statewide estimates are produced using an estimation algorithm
administered by the BLS. This method, which underwent substantial enhancement at the beginning
of 2005, utilizes data from several sources, including the CPS, the CES, and state unemployment
insurance (UI) programs. Each month, census division estimates are controlled to national totals, and
state estimates are then controlled to their respective division totals. Substate estimates are controlled
to their respective state totals. For more information about LAUS estimation procedures, see the BLS
website at www.bls.gov/lau/laumthd.htm
Revisions. Labor force and unemployment data for the previous month reflect adjustments
made in each subsequent month, while data for prior years reflect adjustments made at the end of
each year. The monthly revisions incorporate updated model inputs, while the annually revised
estimates reflect updated population data from the U.S. Census Bureau, any revisions in the other
data sources, and model reestimation. In most years, historical data for the most recent five years
(both seasonally adjusted and not seasonally adjusted) are revised near the beginning of each
calendar year, prior to the release of January estimates.
Seasonal adjustment. The LAUS program introduced smoothed seasonally adjusted
(SSA) estimates in January 2010. These are seasonally-adjusted data that have incorporated a longrun trend smoothing procedure, resulting in estimates that are less volatile than those previously
produced. The estimates are smoothed using a filtering procedure, based on moving averages, to
remove the irregular fluctuations from the seasonally-adjusted series, leaving the trend. The same
process is used on both historical and current year estimates. For more information about the
smoothing technique, see the BLS website at www.bls.gov/lau/lassaqa.htm.
Area definitions. The substate area data published in this release reflect the standards and
definitions established by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget on February 28, 2013. A
detailed list of the geographic definitions is available online at www.bls.gov/lau/lausmsa.htm.
Employment--from the CES program
Definitions. Employment data refer to persons on establishment payrolls who receive pay for
any part of the pay period that includes the 12th of the month. Persons are counted at their place of
work rather than at their place of residence; those appearing on more than one payroll are counted on
each payroll. Industries are classified on the basis of their principal activity in accordance with the
2012 version of the North American Industry Classification System.
Method of estimation. CES State and Area employment data are produced using several
estimation procedures. Where possible these data are produced using a "weighted link relative"
estimation technique in which a ratio of current-month weighted employment to that of the previousmonth weighted employment is computed from a sample of establishments reporting for both
months. The estimates of employment for the current month are then obtained by multiplying these
ratios by the previous month’s employment estimates. The weighted link relative technique is
utilized for data series where the sample size meets certain statistical criteria.
For some employment series, relatively small sample sizes limit the reliability of the weighted linkrelative estimates. In these cases, BLS uses the CES small domain model (SDM) to generate
employment estimates. The SDM combines the direct sample estimates (described above) and
forecasts of historical (benchmarked) data to decrease the volatility of the estimates. For more
detailed information about the CES small domain model, refer to the BLS Handbook of Methods.
Annual revisions. Employment estimates are adjusted annually to a complete count of jobs,
called benchmarks, derived principally from tax reports that are submitted by employers who are
covered under state unemployment insurance (UI) laws. The benchmark information is used to adjust
the monthly estimates between the new benchmark and the preceding one and also to establish the
level of employment for the new benchmark month. Thus, the benchmarking process establishes the
level of employment, and the sample is used to measure the month-to-month changes in the level for
the subsequent months.
Seasonal adjustment. Payroll employment data are seasonally adjusted at the statewide
supersector level. In some states, the seasonally adjusted payroll employment total is computed by
aggregating the independently adjusted supersector series. In other states, the seasonally adjusted
payroll employment total is independently adjusted. Revisions of historical data for the most recent 5
years are made once a year, coincident with annual benchmark adjustments.
Reliability of the estimates
The estimates presented in this release are based on sample surveys, administrative data, and
modeling and, thus, are subject to sampling and other types of errors. Sampling error is a measure of
sampling variability--that is, variation that occurs by chance because a sample rather than the entire
population is surveyed. Survey data also are subject to nonsampling errors, such as those which can
be introduced into the data collection and processing operations. Estimates not directly derived from
sample surveys are subject to additional errors resulting from the specific estimation processes used.
Model-based error measures for seasonally adjusted and not seasonally adjusted data and for overthe-month and over-the-year changes to LAUS estimates are available online at
www.bls.gov/lau/lastderr.htm. Measures of sampling error for state CES data at the total nonfarm
and supersector levels are available online at www.bls.gov/sae/790stderr.htm.
Release Dates
The next unemployment update is scheduled for Wednesday, October 28, 2015 when the county
unemployment rates for September 2015 will be released.
The complete 2015 data release schedule can be accessed at:
http://www.nccommerce.com/Portals/47/Documents/2015_NC_Release_Dates.pdf
&
NC TODAY
October 2015
Employment at a Glance
Civilian Labor Force
•
North Carolina’s September 2015 smoothed seasonally adjusted unemployment rate, at 5.8 percent,
decreased 0.1 of a percentage point from August 2014. The rate was 5.8 percent in September 2014.
•
At 5.8 percent, North Carolina’s September unemployment rate is 0.7 of a percentage point higher than the U.S.
5.1 percent rate.
•
Over the month, the number of people unemployed fell 1.7 percent to 276,072.
•
During September, North Carolina’s smoothed seasonally adjusted labor force participation rate fell 0.1 of a
percentage point to 60.9 percent, and the U.S. rate also declined 0.2 of a percentage point to 62.4 percent.
Nonfarm Employment
•
Seasonally adjusted Total Nonfarm employment for September 2015 rose by 4,700 jobs over the month, and
107,600 over the year to 4,259,600.
•
Over the month, five sectors experienced seasonally adjusted job growth: Leisure & Hospitality Services, 4,000;
Financial Activities, 3,100; Education & Health Services, 2,800; Professional & Business Services, 1,900; and
Other Services, 700. Losses were reported by Construction, 3,300; Government, 1,600; Manufacturing, 1,000;
Trade, Transportation & Utilities, 900; Information, 700; and Mining & Logging, 300.
•
The major sectors to report over-the-year seasonally adjusted job increases were: Professional & Business
Services, 21,600; Leisure & Hospitality Services, 18,700; Trade, Transportation & Utilities, 16,600; Education
& Health Services, 15,500; Manufacturing, 11,900; Construction, 10,100; Financial Activities, 8,800; Other
Services, 6,600; and Information, 1,500.
•
Not seasonally adjusted, the following major sectors reported over-the-year job growth: Professional & Business
Services, 20,100; Leisure & Hospitality Services, 15,700; Trade, Transportation & Utilities, 13,300; Education
& Health Services, 13,000; Manufacturing, 11,300; Construction, 10,300; Financial Activities, 8,900; Other
Services, 5,800; and Information, 1,900.
•
The following sectors in Manufacturing showed not seasonally adjusted over-the-year job increases: Fabricated
Metal Product, 3,200; Furniture & Related Product, 2,400; Plastics & Rubber Products, 2,200; Transportation
Equipment, 1,400; Machinery, 1,200; Wood Product, 1,000; Chemical, 300; and Electrical Equipment,
Appliance & Component, 100. Losses were reported in the remaining sectors: Beverage & Tobacco Product,
800; Food, 800; Apparel, 500; Textile Mills, 500; Textile Product Mills, 300; and Computer & Electronic
Product, 200. Printing & Related Support Activities reported no change.
•
Food remains North Carolina’s leading sector in manufacturing employment at 52,000; Chemical follows with
43,000.
Other Information
•
Preliminary Average Hourly Earnings in North Carolina for manufacturing production workers decreased 1
cent to $17.04 in September; Average Weekly Hours dropped 18 minutes to 41.8 from 42.1. Average Weekly
Earnings dropped $5.54 to $712.27.
•
North Carolina paid $20.5 million in Unemployment Insurance benefits (all programs) to claimants in
September. These payments include state and federally funded benefits.
•
The number of Initial Claims filed in North Carolina for Unemployment Insurance benefits decreased in
September to 15,934. Approximately $20.0 million was paid in regular UI benefits to 23,953 unemployed
persons across the state. The average weekly benefit amount was $241.21 (maximum weekly benefit is $350).
October 2015 NC Today
i
Table of Contents
United States/North Carolina Labor Force Data, September 2015. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
United States/North Carolina Unemployment Rates, September 2013–September 2015. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
United States Labor Force, September 2014–September 2015. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
North Carolina Labor Force, September 2014–September 2015. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Unemployment Rates by State, August 2015. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
North Carolina Unemployment Rates by County, August 2015. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
North Carolina Total Nonfarm Employment, June 2009–September 2015 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
North Carolina Industry Employment, September 2015 (Seasonally Adjusted). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
North Carolina Industry Employment Net Change, September 2014–September 2015. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
North Carolina Goods Producing, January 2000–September 2015 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
North Carolina Service Providing, January 2000–September 2015 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
North Carolina Industry Supersector Employment, September 2015 (Not Seasonally Adjusted ). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
North Carolina MSA Total Nonfarm Employment, September 2015 (Not Seasonally Adjusted ). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Employment Change in North Carolina Manufacturing Industries Comparison of September 2005, 2010 & 2015. . . . . 11
Hours and Earnings, September 2014–September 2015. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
North Carolina Regular UI Initial Claims Activity, September 2013–September 2015. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
North Carolina New Claims Activity, September 2013–September 2015. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
North Carolina MSA Regular UI Initial Claims Activity, September 2015. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Glossary of Terms. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
ii
October 2015 NC Today
United States/North Carolina Labor Force Data
September 2015
Month Ago
(Civilian Labor Force Estimates)
September
2015
P
August
2015
R
September
2014
Numeric
Change
AR
Year Ago
Percent
Change
Numeric
Change
Percent
Change
North Carolina
Smoothed
Seasonally Adjusted
Labor Force
4,752,391
4,753,385
4,626,792
-994
> -0.1
125,599
2.7
Employed
4,476,319
4,472,649
4,357,810
3,670
0.1
118,509
2.7
276,072
280,736
268,982
-4,664
-1.7
7,090
2.6
5.8
5.9
5.8
-0.1
xxx
0.0
xxx
Labor Force
4,753,812
4,748,197
4,641,566
5,615
0.1
112,246
2.4
Employed
4,496,725
4,459,568
4,379,832
37,157
0.8
116,893
2.7
257,087
288,629
261,734
-31,542
-10.9
-4,647
-1.8
5.4
6.1
5.6
-0.7
xxx
-0.2
xxx
Unemployed
Unemployment Rate
Not Seasonally Adjusted
Unemployed
Unemployment Rate
Month Ago
Year Ago
September
2015
August
2015
September
2014
Numeric
Change
Labor Force
156,715,000
157,065,000
155,845,000
-350,000
-0.2
xxx
xxx
Employed
148,800,000
149,036,000
146,607,000
-236,000
-0.2
xxx
xxx
7,915,000
8,029,000
9,237,000
-114,000
-1.4
xxx
xxx
5.1
5.1
5.9
0.0
xxx
xxx
xxx
Labor Force
156,607,000
157,390,000
155,903,000
-783,000
-0.5
xxx
xxx
Employed
148,980,000
149,228,000
146,941,000
-248,000
-0.2
xxx
xxx
7,628,000
8,162,000
8,962,000
-534,000
-6.5
xxx
xxx
4.9
5.2
5.7
-0.3
xxx
xxx
xxx
(Civilian Labor Force Estimates)
Percent
Change
Numeric
Change
Percent
Change
United States*
Seasonally Adjusted
Unemployed
Unemployment Rate
Not Seasonally Adjusted
Unemployed
Unemployment Rate
Source: N.C. data: LAUS, Labor & Economic Analysis Division, North Carolina Department of Commerce; U.S. data: Current Population Survey, BLS
Preliminary; R Revised; AR Annual Revision Note: May not sum due to rounding. More information can be found at: http://esesc23.esc.state.nc.us/d4/LausSelection.aspx
*Effective January 2015, updated U.S. population estimates are used in the national labor force estimates. The annual population adjustments affect the comparability of
national labor estimates over time.
P
1
October 2015 NC Today
United States/North Carolina Unemployment Rates
September 2013–September 2015
(Smoothed Seasonally Adjusted)
NC
9
Percent
8
US
September 2013: 7.3
7
September 2015: 5.8
September 2013: 7.2
6
5
September 2015: 5.1
Sept.
Aug.
July
June
May
April
March
Feb.
Jan. 15
Dec.
Nov.
Oct.
Sept.
Aug.
July
June
May
April
March
Feb.
Jan. 14
Dec.
Nov.
Oct.
Sept.
4
Source: N.C. data: LAUS, Labor & Economic Analysis Division, North Carolina Department of Commerce, U.S. data: Current Population Survey, BLS
Note: N.C. September 2015 data are preliminary, other 2015 data are revised, while all other years’ data reflect annual revision and new seasonal adjustments.
More information can be found at: http://esesc23.esc.state.nc.us/d4/LausSelection.aspx
The smoothed seasonally adjusted North Carolina civilian labor force decreased 994 (>- 0.1%) to 4,752,391 from
August 2015 to September 2015. The number of persons employed increased 3,670 (0.1%) to 4,476,319, while the
number of persons unemployed decreased 4,664 (1.7%) to 276,072. The unemployment rate decreased 0.1 of a
percentage point to 5.8%. The labor force participation rate decreased 0.1 of a percentage point to 60.9 percent.
Over the year, North Carolina’s smoothed seasonally adjusted labor force increased 125,599 (2.7%) as the number of
persons employed rose 118,509 (2.7%). The number of persons unemployed grew by 7,090 (2.6%). The unemployment
rate was unchanged over the year.
The U.S. seasonally adjusted civilian labor force decreased 0.2 percent over the month to 156,715,000. The number
of persons employed fell 0.2 percent to 148,800,000, while those unemployed declined 1.4 percent to 7,915,000. The
nation’s unemployment rate remained at 5.1 percent. The labor force participation rate dropped 0.2 of a percentage
point to 62.4 percent.
United States Labor Force
September 2014–September 2015
North Carolina Labor Force
September 2014–September 2015
(Seasonally Adjusted)
(Smoothed Seasonally Adjusted)
US
158,000
NC
4,800
4,775
157,500
In Thousands
In Thousands
4,750
157,000
156,500
156,000
4,725
4,700
4,675
4,650
155,500
4,625
Source: N.C. data: LAUS, Labor & Economic Analysis Division, North Carolina Department of Commerce, U.S. data: Current Population Survey, BLS
Note: N.C. September 2015 data are preliminary, other 2015 data are revised, while all other years’ data reflect annual revision and new seasonal adjustments.
More information can be found at: http://esesc23.esc.state.nc.us/d4/LausSelection.aspx
2
October 2015 NC Today
Sept. 15
Aug. 15
July 15
June 15
May 15
April 15
March 15
Feb. 15
Jan. 15
Dec. 14
Nov. 14
Oct. 14
Sept. 15
Aug. 15
July 15
June 15
May 15
April 15
March 15
Feb. 15
Jan. 15
Dec. 14
Nov. 14
Oct. 14
Sept. 14
Sept. 14
4,600
155,000
Unemployment Rates by State
Smoothed Seasonally Adjusted
August 2015
U.S. Rate = 5.1%
WA
5.3
OR
ME
MT
ND
4.1
2.9
ID
6.1
4.5
4.0
SD
4.2
VT
MN
WI
3.7
4.5
WY
NV
NE
IA
2.8
3.7
IL
UT
CA
6.1
5.6
CO
3.7
MI
5.1
4.0
6.8
3.6 NH
3.6
NY
5.2 MA 4.7
5.3
4.6
5.4
OH
IN
4.7
4.6
VA
7.6
KY
MO
4.5
NC
TN
AZ
NM
6.3
4.6
6.7
4.1
6.8
6.0
MS
LA
MD 5.1
SC
AR
5.4
TX
NJ 5.7
5.9
5.7
OK
RI 5.6
DC
5.2
5.6
CT
DE 4.9
WV
KS
4.2
PA
6.3
AL
GA
6.2
5.9
6.0
FL
5.3
2.8 - 4.0
4.1 - 5.0
AK
6.6
5.1 - 6.0
3.5
6.1 - 7.0
HI
7.1 - 8.0
Note: States' July 2015 data are preliminary. U.S. rate is not smoothed.
Prepared by Labor & Economic Analysis Division, North Carolina Department of Commerce 10_15
More information can be found at: http://www.bls.gov/lau/
Nebraska had the lowest jobless rate in August at 2.8 percent, followed by North Dakota at 2.9 percent. West Virginia
had the highest rate at 7.6 percent. In total, 17 states had unemployment rates significantly lower than the U.S. rate of
5.1 percent; 13 states and the District of Columbia had measurably higher rates; and 20 states had rates that were not
appreciably different from that of the nation.
In August, eight states’ unemployment rates decreased significantly over the month, the largest being South
Carolina (0.4 of a percentage point). Two states had significant over-the-month rate increases — New Mexico (0.2 of a
percentage point) and Nebraska (0.1 of a percentage point). The remaining 40 states and the District of Columbia had
jobless rates that were not measurably different from those of a month earlier, though some had changes that were at
least as large numerically as the significant changes.
Twenty-five states and the District of Columbia had statistically significant unemployment rate declines from August
2014, the largest of which occurred in Rhode Island (1.8 percentage points) and Michigan (1.7 percentage points). The
only significant over-the-year rate increase was in West Virginia (1.2 percentage points). The remaining 24 states had
rates that were not appreciably different from those of a year earlier.
Among North Carolina’s neighboring states, unemployment rates fell in South Carolina (0.4 of a percentage point),
Virginia (0.3 of a percentage point), Georgia (0.1 of a percentage point), and Tennessee was unchanged.
October 2015 NC Today
3
North Carolina Unemployment Rates by County
August 2015
Ashe
6.2
Watauga
5.3
Mitchell
6.8
Madison
5.9
Graham
11.3
Cherokee
6.6
Clay
6.3
Swain
7.0
Macon
6.1
Haywood
5.3
Henderson
5.0
Transylvania
5.6
Caldwell
6.6
Yancey
6.2
Buncombe
4.6
Jackson
6.1
Avery
5.7
McDowell
5.7
Rutherford
8.4
Polk
5.6
Burke
6.1
Alleghany
6.1
Surry
5.9
Wilkes
6.2
Stokes
5.7
Yadkin
5.2
Alexander
5.4
Caswell
6.9
Rockingham
6.9
Forsyth
6.0
Guilford
6.3
Davidson
5.9
Catawba
6.0
Randolph
5.9
Rowan
6.3
Gaston
6.2
Cabarrus
5.5
Mecklenburg
5.7
Union
5.2
Lee
8.0
Stanly
5.8
Moore
6.2
Montgomery
6.1
Anson
7.1
Vance
9.2
Richmond
8.6
Northampton
8.5
Warren
8.9
Franklin
6.1
Wake
5.0
Chatham
5.1
Lincoln
5.7
Cleveland
6.8
Granville
5.5
Orange
Alamance
5.1
Durham
5.7
5.5
Davie
5.3
Iredell
5.7
Person
7.0
Halifax
9.5
Nash
8.1
Harnett
7.3
Wayne
6.7
Hoke
8.5
Cumberland
8.0
Sampson
6.5
Perquimans Pasquotank
7.5
7.8
Washington
8.8
Beaufort
7.0
Greene
6.4
Craven
6.5
Jones
6.0
Duplin
6.1
Tyrrell
7.8
Dare
4.9
Pitt
6.8
Scotland
11.4
Chowan
7.8
Martin
8.7
Lenoir
7.0
Camden
Currituck
6.4
5.6
Gates
6.0
Bertie
7.8
Edgecombe
10.3
Wilson
10.3
Johnston
5.5
Hertford
7.6
Hyde
6.4
Pamlico
6.3
Carteret
5.8
Onslow
6.2
Robeson
9.3
Bladen
9.0
Pender
6.4
New
Hanover
5.6
Columbus
8.0
Brunswick
7.0
August 2015
6.6 - 7.6
7.7 - 9.5
^
4 Counties Higher Than Previous Month
86 Counties Lower Than Previous Month
=
5.8 - 6.5
^
4.6 - 5.7
10 Counties Same as Previous Month
9.6 - 11.5
North Carolina Rate 6.1%
Not Seasonally Adjusted
Note: August 2015 data are preliminary.
Prepared by Labor & Economic Analysis, North Carolina Department of Commerce 9_2015
More information can be found at: http://esesc23.esc.state.nc.us/d4/LausSelection.aspx
Between July 2015 and August 2015, not seasonally adjusted unemployment rates decreased in 86 of North Carolina’s
counties, increased in four, and remained unchanged in 10. Lee County had the largest over-the-month decrease at 0.5
of a percentage point. Four counties across the state had unemployment rates at 10.0 percent or above, 92 between
5.0 percent and 10.0 percent, and four at 5.0 percent or below. Forty-four counties were at or below the statewide not
seasonally adjusted rate of 6.1 percent. Scotland County had the highest unemployment rate at 11.4 percent, while
Buncombe County had the lowest at 4.6 percent.
Over the year, not seasonally adjusted unemployment rates fell in 91 counties, increased in seven, and remained
unchanged in two. Graham County experienced the largest over-the-year decrease of 3.2 percentage points. The
August 2014 county rates ranged from 14.5 percent in Graham County to 4.9 percent in Buncombe County.
4
October 2015 NC Today
North Carolina
Total Nonfarm Employment
June 2009–September 2015
(Seasonally Adjusted)
4,300
In Thousands
4,200
End of Recession To
Current Month Difference:
362,900
4,100
September 2015: 4,259,600
4,000
June 2009: 3,896,700
3,900
February 2010: 3,841,200
July 15
April 15
Jan. 15
Oct. 14
July 14
April 14
Jan. 14
Oct. 13
July 13
April 13
Jan. 13
Oct. 12
July 12
April 12
Jan. 12
Oct. 11
July 11
April 11
Jan. 11
Oct. 10
July 10
April 10
Jan. 10
Oct. 09
July 09
3,800
Source: CES, Labor & Economic Analysis Division, North Carolina Department of Commerce. More information can be found at: http://esesc23.esc.state.nc.us/d4/CesSelection.aspx
Note: September 2015 data are preliminary, other 2015 data are revised, while all other years’ data are benchmarked. Recession represents the dates December 2007–June 2009.
The last recession began in December 2007 and ended June 2009. Based on this designation, the national recession
officially lasted 18 months.
While the recession officially began in December 2007, North Carolina’s seasonally adjusted Total Nonfarm
employment peaked in February 2008 at 4,174,400. The state reached its lowest level of Total Nonfarm employment in
February 2010 when employment reached 3,841,200.
Between the peak in employment in February 2008 and the low of February 2010, North Carolina lost 333,200 jobs
— a decrease of 8.0 percent. All major industrial sectors experienced job declines with the exception of Education
& Health Services and Government, which experienced modest gains of 6,700 jobs and 4,200 jobs, respectively. The
largest job losses were in Manufacturing (98,600), Trade, Transportation & Utilities (73,800), Construction (72,000), and
Professional & Business Services (36,500).
Based on September’s preliminary employment estimates, North Carolina’s economy has gained 418,400 jobs since
the low in February 2010, and employment in the Private sector has risen by 425,000. The largest job growth has been
in Professional & Business Services, which added 125,900 jobs, followed by Trade, Transportation & Utilities (85,800),
and Leisure & Hospitality Services (74,400). The largest job loss occurred in Government with 6,600 jobs.
October 2015 NC Today
5
North Carolina Industry Employment
September 2015
(Seasonally Adjusted, In Thousands)
Total Employment
September
2015
NAICS Industry
P
August
2015
R
Net & Percent Change
September
2014
B
From August
2015
Net
From September
2014
Percent
Net
Percent
Total Nonfarm
4,259.6
4,254.9
4,152.0
4.7
0.1%
107.6
2.6%
Total Private
3,548.9
3,542.6
3,437.9
6.3
0.2%
111.0
3.2%
Goods Producing
656.5
661.1
634.8
-4.6
-0.7%
21.7
3.4%
Service Providing
3,603.1
3,593.8
3,517.2
9.3
0.3%
85.9
2.4%
Private Service Providing
2,892.4
2,881.5
2,803.1
10.9
0.4%
89.3
3.2%
5.2
5.5
5.5
-0.3
-5.5%
-0.3
-5.5%
Construction
189.7
193.0
179.6
-3.3
-1.7%
10.1
5.6%
Manufacturing
461.6
462.6
449.7
-1.0
-0.2%
11.9
2.6%
Durable Goods
254.9
255.5
240.1
-0.6
-0.2%
14.8
6.2%
Nondurable Goods
206.7
207.1
209.6
-0.4
-0.2%
-2.9
-1.4%
795.1
796.0
778.5
-0.9
-0.1%
16.6
2.1%
Wholesale Trade
181.5
181.7
177.6
-0.2
-0.1%
3.9
2.2%
Retail Trade
482.5
483.4
472.7
-0.9
-0.2%
9.8
2.1%
Transportation, Warehousing & Utilities
131.1
130.9
128.2
0.2
0.2%
2.9
2.3%
74.7
75.4
73.2
-0.7
-0.9%
1.5
2.0%
222.3
219.2
213.5
3.1
1.4%
8.8
4.1%
165.0
163.2
159.7
1.8
1.1%
5.3
3.3%
57.3
56.0
53.8
1.3
2.3%
3.5
6.5%
598.0
596.1
576.4
1.9
0.3%
21.6
3.7%
217.3
216.8
210.0
0.5
0.2%
7.3
3.5%
83.2
82.7
81.1
0.5
0.6%
2.1
2.6%
297.5
296.6
285.3
0.9
0.3%
12.2
4.3%
584.1
581.3
568.6
2.8
0.5%
15.5
2.7%
76.5
79.3
75.2
-2.8
-3.5%
1.3
1.7%
507.6
502.0
493.4
5.6
1.1%
14.2
2.9%
462.0
458.0
443.3
4.0
0.9%
18.7
4.2%
Arts, Entertainment & Recreation
64.9
64.9
61.1
0.0
0.0%
3.8
6.2%
Accommodation & Food Services
397.1
393.1
382.2
4.0
1.0%
14.9
3.9%
Other Services
156.2
155.5
149.6
0.7
0.5%
6.6
4.4%
Government
710.7
712.3
714.1
-1.6
-0.2%
-3.4
-0.5%
70.2
70.2
69.1
0.0
0.0%
1.1
1.6%
State
205.0
206.4
206.4
-1.4
-0.7%
-1.4
-0.7%
Local
435.5
435.7
438.6
-0.2
0.0%
-3.1
-0.7%
Mining & Logging
Trade, Transportation & Utilities
Information
Financial Activities
Finance & Insurance
Real Estate, Rental & Leasing
Professional & Business Services
Professional, Scientific & Technical Svcs
Management of Companies & Enterprises
Admin. & Support & Waste Mgmt.
Education & Health Services
Educational Services
Health Care & Social Assistance
Leisure & Hospitality Services
Federal
Source: CES, Labor & Economic Analysis Division, North Carolina Department of Commerce.
P
Preliminary; R Revised; B Benchmarked; more information can be found at: http://esesc23.esc.state.nc.us/d4/CesSelection.aspx
6
October 2015 NC Today
North Carolina Industry Employment Net Change
September 2014–September 2015
(Seasonally Adjusted)
Professional & Business Services
21.6
Leisure & Hospitality Services
18.7
Trade, Transportation & Utilities
16.6
Education & Health Services
15.5
Manufacturing
11.9
Construction
10.1
Financial Activities
8.8
Other Services
6.6
Information
1.5
Mining & Logging
-0.3
Government
-10.0
-3.4
-5.0
0.0
5.0
10.0
15.0
20.0
25.0
Source: CES, Labor & Economic Analysis Division, North Carolina Department of Commerce. More information can be found at: http://esesc23.esc.state.nc.us/d4/CesSelection.aspx
In September 2015, North Carolina’s seasonally adjusted Total Nonfarm employment gained 4,700 jobs over the
month and 107,600 over the year. The U.S. added 142,000 Total Nonfarm jobs over the month and 2,752,000 over the
year.
North Carolina’s Private sector grew by 6,300 jobs over the month and 111,000 over the year. The Service Providing
industries, which include all industries except Mining & Logging, Construction, and Manufacturing, increased by 9,300
jobs over the month and 85,900 over the year. The Goods Producing industries lost 4,600 jobs over the month, but
gained 21,700 over the year.
Seasonally adjusted, five of the 11 major North Carolina industrial sectors had job gains over the month. Leisure
& Hospitality Services reported the largest net increase (4,000), followed by Financial Activities (3,100); Education
& Health Services (2,800); Professional & Business Services (1,900); and Other Services (700). Of the remaining six
industrial sectors, Construction had the largest net decrease (3,300), followed by Government (1,600); Manufacturing
(1,000); Trade, Transportation & Utilities (900); Information (700); and Mining & Logging (300).
It is important to note that industry employment estimates are subject to large seasonal patterns. Seasonal
adjustment factors are applied to the data. However, these factors may not fully capture the seasonal trend. Therefore,
when interpreting the changes in industry employment, it is advisable to focus on over-the-year changes in both the
seasonally adjusted and not seasonally adjusted series.
Nine major industrial sectors experienced seasonally adjusted job growth over the year. Professional & Business
Services increased by 21,600, due to gains in Admin. & Support & Waste Management & Remediation Services (12,200),
Professional, Scientific & Technical Services (7,300), and Management of Companies & Enterprises (2,100). Leisure
& Hospitality Services gained 18,700 jobs due to increases in Accommodation & Food Services (14,900) and Arts,
Entertainment & Recreation (3,800). Trade, Transportation & Utilities grew by 16,600 with gains in Retail Trade (9,800),
Wholesale Trade (3,900), and Transportation & Utilities (2,900). Education & Health Services rose by 15,500 with gains
in Health Care & Social Assistance (14,200), and in Educational Services (1,300). Manufacturing added 11,900 jobs with
a gain in Durable Goods (14,800) and a loss in Nondurable Goods (2,900). Construction increased 10,100 jobs. Financial
Activities grew by 8,800 jobs with gains in Finance & Insurance (5,300) and Real Estate & Rental & Leasing (3,500).
Other Services added 6,600 jobs, and Information, 1,500 jobs.
Of the two remaining major industrial sectors, Government decreased by 3,400 jobs as the result of losses in Local
Government (3,100), State Government (1,400), and a gain in Federal Government (1,100). Mining & Logging lost 300
jobs.
October 2015 NC Today
7
North Carolina Goods Producing
January 2000–September 2015
(Seasonally Adjusted)
Goods Producing
1,100
2007-2009 Recession
2001 Recession
1,025
March 2001: 970,400
In Thousands
950
November 2001: 904,000
875
December 2007: 792,000
800
725
June 2009: 641,600
650
575
September 2015: 656,500
Jan. 15
Jan. 14
Jan. 13
Jan. 12
Jan. 11
Jan. 10
Jan. 09
Jan. 08
Jan. 07
Jan. 06
Jan. 05
Jan. 04
Jan. 03
Jan. 02
Jan. 01
Jan. 00
500
Source: CES, North Carolina Department of Commerce, Labor & Economic Analysis Division
Note: September 2015 data are preliminary, while all other data are benchmarked. Recession periods documented in above graph represent the
dates March 2001–November 2001, and December 2007–June 2009. More information can be found at: http://esesc23.esc.state.nc.us/d4/CesSelection.aspx
Since the beginning of the 2007 national recession (December 2007), North Carolina has lost 135,500 Goods
Producing jobs, but has gained 14,900 jobs since the end of the recession in June 2009.
North Carolina Service Providing
January 2000–September 2015
(Seasonally Adjusted)
Service Providing
3,700
3,500
In Thousands
2007-2009 Recession
2001 Recession
3,600
December 2007: 3,375,800
3,400
3,300
September 2015: 3,603,100
3,200
June 2009: 3,255,100
March 2001: 2,960,000
3,100
3,000
2,900
November 2001: 2,942,700
Jan. 15
Jan. 14
Jan. 13
Jan. 12
Jan. 11
Jan. 10
Jan. 09
Jan. 08
Jan. 07
Jan. 06
Jan. 05
Jan. 04
Jan. 03
Jan. 02
Jan. 01
Jan. 00
2,800
Source: CES, Labor & Economic Analysis Division, North Carolina Department of Commerce.
Note: September 2015 data are preliminary, while all other data are benchmarked. Recession periods documented in above graph represent the
dates March 2001–November 2001, and December 2007–June 2009. More information can be found at: http://esesc23.esc.state.nc.us/d4/CesSelection.aspx
Since the beginning of the 2007 national recession (December 2007), North Carolina’s Service Providing sector has
gained 227,300 jobs and 348,000 jobs since the end of the recession in June 2009.
8
October 2015 NC Today
North Carolina Industry Supersector Employment
September 2015
(Not Seasonally Adjusted, In Thousands)
Total Employment
NAICS Industry
September
2015
P
August
2015
B
Net & Percent Change
September
2014
B
From August
2015
Net
Total Nonfarm
4,269.0
4,260.6
4,170.4
8.4
Total Private
From September
2014
Percent
Net
0.2%
98.6
Percent
2.4%
3,555.0
3,578.3
3,455.0
-23.3
-0.7%
100.0
2.9%
Goods Producing
661.3
664.6
640.0
-3.3
-0.5%
21.3
3.3%
Service Providing
3,607.7
3,596.0
3,530.4
11.7
0.3%
77.3
2.2%
Private Service Providing
2,893.7
2,913.7
2,815.0
-20.0
-0.7%
78.7
2.8%
5.3
5.6
5.6
-0.3
-5.4%
-0.3
-5.4%
Construction
192.9
195.1
182.6
-2.2
-1.1%
10.3
5.6%
Manufacturing
463.1
463.9
451.8
-0.8
-0.2%
11.3
2.5%
Trade, Transportation & Utilities
789.9
796.5
776.6
-6.6
-0.8%
13.3
1.7%
74.6
76.3
72.7
-1.7
-2.2%
1.9
2.6%
Financial Activities
222.9
223.7
214.0
-0.8
-0.4%
8.9
4.2%
Professional & Business Services
600.9
601.7
580.8
-0.8
-0.1%
20.1
3.5%
Education & Health Services
582.2
576.2
569.2
6.0
1.0%
13.0
2.3%
Leisure & Hospitality Services
467.6
482.6
451.9
-15.0
-3.1%
15.7
3.5%
Mining & Logging
Information
Other Services
155.6
156.7
149.8
-1.1
-0.7%
5.8
3.9%
Government
714.0
682.3
715.4
31.7
4.6%
-1.4
-0.2%
Source: CES, Labor & Economic Analysis Division, North Carolina Department of Commerce.
P
Preliminary; B Benchmarked; more information can be found at: http://esesc23.esc.state.nc.us/d4/CesSelection.aspx
The September 2015 not seasonally adjusted Total Nonfarm employment level of 4,269,000 was 8,400 higher than
August 2015. Two of the 11 major industries in North Carolina showed over-the-month employment increases:
Government had the largest gain at 31,700 (4.6%), followed by Education & Health Services, 6,000 (1.0%).
Of the remaining nine major industries, Leisure & Hospitality Services had the largest decrease in employment at
15,000 (3.1%), followed by Trade, Transportation & Utilities, 6,600 (0.8%); Construction, 2,200 (1.1%); Information, 1,700
(2.2%); Other Services, 1,100 (0.7%); Financial Activities, 800 (0.4%); Manufacturing, 800 (0.2%); Professional & Business
Services, 800 (0.1%); and Mining & Logging, 300 (5.4%).
Over the year, the Service Providing sector (all industries except Mining & Logging, Construction, and Manufacturing)
had an increase of 77,300 (2.2%) jobs. Professional & Business Services, 20,100 (3.5%), experienced the greatest
increase, followed by Leisure & Hospitality Services, 15,700 (3.5%); Trade, Transportation & Utilities, 13,300 (1.7%);
Education & Health Services, 13,000 (2.3%); Financial Activities, 8,900 (4.2%); Other Services, 5,800 (3.9%); and
Information, 1,900 (2.6%). Government decreased by 1,400 (0.2%).
The Goods Producing sector had a net gain of 21,300 (3.3%) jobs over the year. Manufacturing added 11,300 (2.5%)
jobs; Construction increased by 10,300 (5.6%) jobs; while Mining & Logging decreased by 300 (5.4%).
October 2015 NC Today
9
North Carolina MSA Total Nonfarm Employment
September 2015
(Not Seasonally Adjusted, In Thousands)
Metropolitan Statistical Area
Asheville
Burlington
Charlotte/Concord/Gastonia, NC-SC*
SeptemberP
2015
Total Employment
AugustB
SeptemberB
2015
2014
Net & Percent Change
From August
From September
2015
2014
Net
Percent
Net
Percent
183.6
181.6
178.4
2.0
1.1%
5.2
2.9%
61.3
60.3
59.6
1.0
1.7%
1.7
2.9%
1,105.0
1,107.4
1,070.7
-2.4
-0.2%
34.3
3.2%
Durham/Chapel Hill
298.4
296.4
293.2
2.0
0.7%
5.2
1.8%
Fayetteville
127.5
125.4
127.0
2.1
1.7%
0.5
0.4%
Goldsboro
41.5
41.3
42.2
0.2
0.5%
-0.7
-1.7%
359.7
357.2
350.7
2.5
0.7%
9.0
2.6%
Greensboro/High Point
Greenville
Hickory/Lenoir/Morganton
Jacksonville
New Bern
Raleigh
Rocky Mount
78.0
77.4
78.4
0.6
0.8%
-0.4
-0.5%
146.7
146.0
147.2
0.7
0.5%
-0.5
-0.3%
49.6
50.2
49.2
-0.6
-1.2%
0.4
0.8%
43.5
43.7
43.7
-0.2
-0.5%
-0.2
-0.5%
576.8
575.9
562.1
0.9
0.2%
14.7
2.6%
-1.8%
55.8
55.2
56.8
0.6
1.1%
-1.0
Wilmington
119.4
119.7
117.5
-0.3
-0.3%
1.9
1.6%
Winston-Salem
262.1
256.9
254.7
5.2
2.0%
7.4
2.9%
Source: CES, Labor & Economic Analysis Division, North Carolina Department of Commerce.
P
Preliminary; B Benchmarked; more information can be found at: http://esesc23.esc.state.nc.us/d4/CesSelection.aspx. *Only includes claims activity in North Carolina.
In September 2015 not seasonally adjusted data, North Carolina’s Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) Total Nonfarm
employment varied. The Winston-Salem MSA posted the largest increase of 5,200 jobs, while the Charlotte/Concord/
Gastonia MSA had the greatest loss at 2,400 jobs.
Mining, Logging & Construction employment remained unchanged in all but four MSAs. Charlotte/Concord/
Gastonia reported the largest loss at 700 jobs, followed by Raleigh (400), Durham/Chapel Hill (100), and WinstonSalem (100).
Manufacturing employment varied across the MSAs. Winston-Salem had the highest gain of 500 jobs, while
Charlotte/Concord/Gastonia posted the largest loss at 1,300 jobs due to a decrease in Durable Goods (1,500) and a
gain in Nondurable Goods (200).
Trade, Transportation & Utilities employment varied across the MSAs. Asheville and Greensboro/High Point
showed the largest increases at 500 jobs each due to gains in Retail Trade (400) and Transportation, Warehousing &
Utilities (100). Charlotte/Concord/Gastonia had the largest decrease of 2,600 jobs due to losses in Retail Trade (1,700);
Transportation, Warehousing & Utilities (500); and Wholesale Trade (400).
Information employment either decreased or remained unchanged across the MSAs. Raleigh had the largest loss at
300 jobs.
Financial Activities employment varied across the MSAs. Charlotte/Concord/Gastonia reported the greatest loss of
300 jobs due to decreases in Real Estate & Rental & Leasing (200), and Finance & Insurance (100). Greensboro/High
Point and Raleigh each posted a gain of 100 jobs.
Professional & Business Services employment varied across the MSAs. Winston-Salem had the largest increase of
1,500 jobs with all of the gain coming from Administrative Support, Waste Management & Remediation Services.
Greensboro/High Point experienced the greatest loss of 1,000 jobs due to declines in Administrative Support, Waste
Management & Remediation Services (700), and Professional, Scientific & Technical Services (300).
Education & Health Services employment increased all but one MSA. Greensboro/High Point had the greatest
growth with 1,400 jobs, while Greenville remained at 9,800.
10
October 2015 NC Today
Leisure & Hospitality Services employment varied across the MSAs. Charlotte/Concord/Gastonia reported the
greatest loss of 5,200 jobs due to decreases in Accommodation & Food Services (3,200), and Arts, Entertainment &
Recreation (2,000). Hickory/Lenoir/Morganton and Winston-Salem both experienced the largest increases of 300 jobs.
Other Services employment varied across the MSAs. Charlotte/Concord/Gastonia posted the largest gain of 800 jobs,
while Raleigh had the greatest loss of 500 jobs.
Government employment increased across all of the MSAs. Charlotte/Concord/Gastonia had the largest gain of 6,000
due to growth in Local Government (4,600) and State Government (1,400). Federal Government (9,800) showed no
change over the month.
Employment Change in North Carolina Manufacturing Industries
Comparison of September 2005, 2010 & 2015
(Not Seasonally Adjusted)
September 2005
September 2010
September 2015
75
In Thousands
60
45
30
15
Plastics & Rubber
Chemical
Printing
Apparel Mfg.
Textile Product Mills
Textile Mills
Beverages & Tobacco Product
Food
Furniture & Related Product
Transportation Equipment
Electrical Equipment & Appliances
Computers & Electronic Product
Machinery
Fabricated Metal Product
Wood Product
0
Source: CES, Labor & Economic Analysis Division, North Carolina Department of Commerce.
Note: 2015 data are preliminary, while 2005 and 2010 data are benchmarked. More information can be found at: http://esesc23.esc.state.nc.us/d4/CesSelection.aspx
Not seasonally adjusted, the Manufacturing industrial sector lost 800 jobs over the month with a gain in Nondurable
Goods (800) and a loss in Durable Goods (1,600).
Over the year, Manufacturing increased by 11,300 jobs with a gain in Durable Goods (14,300) and a loss in Nondurable
Goods (3,000).
Of North Carolina’s six largest Manufacturing industries in September 2005, five have experienced job losses over the
past 10 years: Textile Mills, 26,900; Furniture & Related Product, 19,700; Computer & Electronic Product, 6,800; and both
Fabricated Metal Product and Chemical, 900. Food gained 1,800 jobs.
Of North Carolina’s six largest Manufacturing industries in September 2010, three have experienced job losses over
the past five years. Computer & Electronic Product, 2,000; Textile Mills, 1,100; and Food, 400. Of the remaining three,
Fabricated Metal Product gained 6,600 jobs; Furniture & Related Product, 3,300; and Chemical, 1,500.
October 2015 NC Today
11
Hours and Earnings
September 2014–September 2015
(Not Seasonally Adjusted)
Average Weekly Hours
Average Hourly Earnings
Average Weekly Earnings
Total
Private
Mfg.
Production
Total
Private
Mfg.
Production
Total
Private
Mfg.
Production
September 2014
34.7
42.9
43.9
$21.84
$21.22
$16.66
$757.85
$910.34
$731.37
October
34.6
42.4
43.3
$21.76
$21.09
$16.65
$752.90
$894.22
$720.95
November
35.1
43.0
43.6
$22.09
$21.28
$16.80
$775.36
$915.04
$732.48
December
34.7
42.6
43.4
$21.81
$21.13
$16.73
$756.81
$900.14
$726.08
January
34.2
41.7
42.4
$22.05
$21.25
$16.91
$754.11
$886.13
$716.98
February
34.5
41.3
41.9
$22.36
$21.44
$16.85
$771.42
$885.47
$706.02
March
34.9
41.8
43.0
$22.03
$21.19
$16.77
$768.85
$885.74
$721.11
April
34.4
41.3
42.8
$22.04
$21.27
$16.89
$758.18
$878.45
$722.89
May
34.5
41.3
42.5
$22.10
$21.35
$17.02
$762.45
$881.76
$723.35
June
34.5
40.9
42.5
$22.03
$21.09
$16.92
$760.04
$862.58
$719.10
July
34.5
40.8
41.6
$22.13
$21.01
$17.00
$763.49
$857.21
$707.20
August
35.0
41.3
42.1
$22.54
$21.15
$17.05
$788.90
$873.50
$717.81
September 2015
34.3
40.7
41.8
$22.32
$20.97
$17.04
$765.58
$853.48
$712.27
Source: CES, Labor & Economic Analysis Division, North Carolina Department of Commerce. Note: September 2015 data are preliminary, other 2015 data are revised, while 2014 data are
benchmarked. More information can be found at: http://esesc23.esc.state.nc.us/d4/CesSelection.aspx
Each month, the Current Employment Statistics program provides measures of payroll and hours for all employees of
private Nonfarm establishments for the nation, each state, and more than 400 Metropolitan Statistical Areas.
In North Carolina, Total Private Hours and Earnings posted over-the-month decreases in Average Weekly Earnings,
Average Hourly Earnings, and Average Weekly Hours. Average Weekly Earnings fell by $23.32 to $765.58; Average
Hourly Earnings decreased by $0.22 to $22.32; and Average Weekly Hours declined by 0.7 (42 minutes) at 34.3. Over
the year, Total Private Hours & Earnings posted gains in Average Weekly Earnings, $7.73; Average Hourly Earnings,
$0.48; and a decrease in Average Weekly Hours, 0.4 (24 minutes).
In North Carolina, Manufacturing Hours and Earnings posted over-the-month declines in Average Weekly Earnings,
Average Hourly Earnings, and Average Weekly Hours. Average Weekly Earnings decreased by $20.02 to $853.48;
Average Hourly Earnings dropped $0.18 to $20.97; and Average Weekly Hours fell by 0.6 (36 minutes) to 40.7. Over the
year, Manufacturing Hours & Earnings had losses in Average Weekly Earnings, $56.86; Average Hourly Earnings, $0.25;
and Average Weekly Hours, 2.2 (132 minutes).
In North Carolina, Production Hours and Earnings posted over-the-month decreases in Average Hourly Earnings,
Average Weekly Earnings, and Average Weekly Hours. Average Hourly Earnings declined by $0.01 to $17.04; Average
Weekly Earnings dropped by $5.54 to $712.27; and Average Weekly Hours fell by 0.3 (18 minutes) to 41.8. Over the
year, Production Hours & Earnings gained in Average Hourly Earnings, $0.38, and losses in Average Weekly Earnings,
$19.10; and Average Weekly Hours, 2.1 (126 minutes).
12
October 2015 NC Today
North Carolina Regular UI Initial Claims Activity
September 2013–September 2015
60,000
September 2013: 26,051
40,000
September 2015: 15,934
20,000
Sept. 15
June 15
March 15
Dec. 14
Sept. 14
June 14
March 14
Dec. 13
Sept. 13
0
Source: WRE, Labor & Economic Analysis Division, North Carolina Department of Commerce. More information can be found at: https://www.ncesc1.com
Regular Initial Claims, which totaled 15,934 for the month ending Sept. 30, 2015, decreased 365 (2%) from the prior
month’s total of 16,299. Regular Initial Claims were down 5,089 (24%) compared to 21,023 in September 2014;
decreased 10,117 (39%) compared to 26,051 in 2013; fell 26,428 (62%) compared to 42,362 in 2012; dropped 39,149
(71%) compared to 55,083 in 2011; and decreased 37,934 (70%) compared to 53,868 in September 2010.
Attached Initial Claims accounted for less than 1.0 percent of the Initial Claims for the months ending Sept. 30, 2015;
Sept. 30, 2014; and Sept. 30, 2013. They accounted for 16,901 (40%) of the 42,362 Initial Claims for the same period in
2012; 24,572 (45%) of 55,083 claims in 2011; and 21,487 (40%) of 53,868 claims in 2010.
For the month ending Sept. 30, 2015, decreases in Initial Claims were most notable in the following industries:
Administrative and Support Services; Educational Services; Social Assistance; Nursing and Residential Care Facilities;
and Ambulatory Health Care Services. Increases in Initial Claims were most notable in the following industries:
Specialty Trade Contractors; Food Manufacturing; Textile Mills; Gasoline Stations; Accommodation; Food and Beverage
Stores; Textile Product Mills; Miscellaneous Store Retailers; and Amusements, Gambling, and Recreation.
North Carolina New Claims Activity
September 2013–September 2015
60,000
40,000
September 2013: 21,151
September 2015: 14,757
20,000
Sept. 15
June 15
March 15
Dec. 14
Sept. 14
June 14
March 14
Dec. 13
Sept. 13
0
Source: WRE, Labor & Economic Analysis Division, North Carolina Department of Commerce. More information can be found at: https://www.ncesc1.com
October 2015 NC Today
13
North Carolina MSA Regular UI Initial Claims Activity
September 2015
Transactions
Initial
Claims
Metropolitan Statistical Area
Asheville
454
Burlington
Individuals
Female
240
AfricanAmerican
54
White
381
45 Years
and Older
200
Regular UI
Benefits*
$499,135
280
135
109
151
95
$259,259
3,472
1,799
1,622
1,565
1,294
$4,555,044
Durham-Chapel Hill
730
366
408
264
283
$933,220
Fayetteville
695
348
423
187
205
$643,297
Charlotte/Concord/Gastonia, NC-SC**
Goldsboro
215
88
133
66
68
$179,907
1,402
693
670
619
488
$1,529,186
Greenville
285
146
175
99
69
$289,840
Hickory/Lenoir/Morganton
536
234
61
425
207
$544,270
Jacksonville
251
123
67
150
77
$207,993
Myrtle Beach/Conway/North Myrtle Beach, SC-NC
163
80
39
117
69
$216,830
New Bern
187
88
80
90
57
$160,157
1,838
913
763
922
751
$2,664,762
317
167
237
66
100
$372,979
45
31
3
39
19
$31,612
Wilmington
501
208
129
351
190
$653,376
Winston-Salem
971
501
346
555
382
$1,198,647
MSA Total
12,342
6,160
5,319
6,047
4,554
$14,939,515
NC Statewide Total
15,934
7,867
6,907
7,740
5,736
$19,999,002
Percent of MSA Total of NC Statewide Total
77.5%
78.3%
77.0%
78.1%
79.4%
74.7%
Greensboro-High Point
**
Raleigh
Rocky Mount
Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC
**
Source: WRE, Labor & Economic Analysis Division, North Carolina Department of Commerce. Note: ‘Regular Initial Claims’ represent transactions and not individuals.
*Does not include Extended Benefits and Federal Additional Compensation. **Only includes claims activity in North Carolina. More information can be found at: https://www.ncesc1.com
The Division of Employment Security paid $20,549,916 in Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits to unemployed
claimants across North Carolina during September 2015. These payments include state and federally funded benefits.
North Carolina paid $19,999,002 in regular UI benefits from the State UI program to 23,953 individuals during the
month — a decrease of 4,828 claimants since August 2015. A total of $541,491 in benefits was paid in Unemployment
Compensation for Federal Employees (UCFE) and Unemployment Compensation for Ex-Service Members (UCX)
administered under Regular UI. There were 82,911 weeks compensated for Regular UI under the State UI program,
with an average UI weekly benefit amount of $241.21 (maximum weekly benefit is $350).
In September 2015, benefits paid for the Emergency Unemployment Compensation EUC (all tiers), Extended Benefits
(EB), and Federal Additional Compensation (FAC) programs totaled $9,423. These benefits were paid through federal
dollars. The Emergency Unemployment Compensation program (EUC08) ended in North Carolina on June 29, 2013;
however, North Carolina will continue to pay EUC08 benefits for weeks prior to this date.
During September 2015, the NC UI Trust and State Reserve Funds collected $3.3 million in UI taxes and reported
interest of $105,193.80. The Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund balance was $757.8 million on Sept. 30, 2015. The
State Reserve Fund had a balance of $202.1 million.
14
October 2015 NC Today
Glossary of Terms
Employment: Used in Current Employment Statistics (CES), industry or establishment data referring to persons on
establishment payrolls who received pay for any part of the pay period that includes the 12th day of the month. The
data exclude proprietors, the unincorporated self-employed, unpaid volunteer or family workers, farm workers,
and domestic workers. Salaried officers of corporations are included. Government employment covers only civilian
employees; military personnel are excluded. Employees of the Central Intelligence Agency, the National Security
Agency, the National Imagery and Mapping Agency, and the Defense Intelligence Agency also are excluded. Persons
on establishment payrolls who are on paid sick leave (for cases in which pay is received directly from the firm), on paid
holiday, or on paid vacation, or who work during a part of the pay period even though they are unemployed, or on
strike during the rest of the period, are counted as employed. Not counted as employed are persons who are on layoff,
on leave without pay, or on strike for the entire period, or who were hired but have not yet reported during
the period. Employment is calculated by work location, not residency. Individuals may be counted more than once if
they hold multiple jobs.
Used in Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS), individuals 16 years of age and older who worked during the
week that includes the 12th of the month for, (a) pay, (b) unpaid for 15 hours or more in a family-owned business, or (c)
in their own business, profession or farm. Persons temporarily absent from their jobs due to illness, bad
weather, vacation, labor dispute, or personal reasons are included. Individuals whose only activity consists of work
around the house and/or volunteer work for religious, charitable, and similar organizations are excluded. Employment
is calculated by residency, not work location. Each employed person is counted once even if working multiple jobs.
Extended Benefits (EB): The supplemental program that pays extended compensation during periods of specified
high unemployment in a state to individuals for weeks of unemployment after exhaustion of regular Unemployment
Insurance benefits. One-half of EB is funded by the state trust fund. The beginning date, duration and ending date of
this program are “triggered” by a specified unemployment rate during a specified period of time.
Federal Additional Compensation (FAC): A supplemental program that pays an additional $25 for any week for
which an individual is eligible to receive at least $1.00 under any unemployment compensation program currently in
effect.
Full-time Workers: Persons who work 35 hours or more per week.
Goods Producing: Industries including Mining, Construction and Manufacturing.
Hours of Work: The number of hours worked during the survey week. Individuals who work at least 35 hours are
designated full-time workers; persons who work less than that are considered part time.
Industry: A group of establishments that produce similar products or provide similar services. For example, all
establishments that manufacture automobiles are in the same industry. A given industry, or even a particular
establishment in that industry, might have employees in dozens of occupations. The North American Industry
Classification System (NAICS) groups similar establishments into industries.
Initial Claim: Includes new and additional initial claims. An additional initial claim is a subsequent initial claim filed to
reopen a claim series during an existing benefit year. This occurs if a person again becomes unemployed when a break
of one week or more has occurred in the claim series due to intervening employment.
Interest Earned: The amount of interest earned on the Unemployment Trust Fund account (unpublished US Treasury
reports).
Labor Force Participation Rate (LFP): The proportion of the civilian noninstitutional population that is in the civilian
labor force (e.g. employed or unemployed and actively seeking work).
Labor Market Information: Used to describe the delivery of labor force, employment, unemployment, wage, supply
and demand, occupational, industrial, economic, and demographic data for the analysis of manpower problems.
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Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS): A federal Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)/state North Carolina
Department of Commerce, Labor and Economic Analysis Division cooperative statistical program which produces
monthly and annual labor force, employment, unemployment, and unemployment rate estimates by place of
residence for many geographic regions including states, counties, metropolitan and micropolitan statistical areas, and
selected cities.
Manufacturing Hours and Earnings: Based on gross payrolls and corresponding paid hours:
Total Private Hours and Earnings – Includes data collected for all paid, private-sector workers (including
production employees). Executives, managers and supervisors are excluded.
All Employees Hours and Earnings – Reported as all persons who received pay (including holiday and sick) for any
part of the payroll period including the 12th day of the month.
Production Workers Hours and Earnings – Workers in the Goods Producing industries up through the level of
working supervisors who engage directly in the manufacturing of the establishment’s product.
Total Gross Pay – Includes regular wages and salaries, paid leave, incentive pay, bonuses paid each pay period and
severance paid over multiple pay periods. Commissions are reported if they are paid at least monthly. Irregular
lump sum payments are excluded.
Maximum Weekly Benefit Amount: The highest weekly benefit amount provided for a week of total unemployment.
Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA): A federal Office of Management and Budget (OMB) defined area having at least
one urbanized area with a population of 50,000 or more. MSAs may include adjacent counties that have a high degree
of social and economic integration with the urban core as measured by commuting patterns. North Carolina has 14
MSAs consisting of 39 counties.
Minimum Weekly Benefit Amount: The lowest weekly benefit amount for a week of total unemployment.
New Claim: The first initial claim filed in person, by mail, telephone, or other means within a benefit year to request a
determination of entitlement to and eligibility for compensation. This result in an agency generated document of an
appealable monetary determination provided to the potential claimant.
Outstanding Loan Balance: Balance, as of the end of the quarter, of advances acquired by the state under Title XII of
the Social Security Act (unpublished US Treasury reports).
Nondurable Goods: Known as “soft goods,” nondurable goods refer to manufactured or processed items generally
considered to last for a short time — three years or less. The nondurable manufacturing industries include Food;
Beverage & Tobacco Product; Textile Mills; Textile Product Mills; Apparel; Printing & Related Support Activities;
Chemical; and Plastics & Rubber Products.
North American Industry Classification (NAICS): An industrial classification system using a production-based
framework, with special attention to new and emerging industries (service industries in general) and industries
involved in advanced technology. It is an outgrowth of the North American Free Trade Act (NAFTA) and allows the
collection and tabulation of industry-level data to measure the economic impact of employers shifting activities
between Canada, Mexico and the United States. Classification is by major economic group or sector (two-digit),
economic subsector (three-digit), industry group (four-digit), industry level (five-digit), and national industry level (sixdigit, optional) in order of increasing detail. Conversion from Standard Industrial Classification system (SIC) to NAICS
was a three-year cycle that began with data collected in 1999. CES industries are often combinations of several NAICS
codes.
Not Seasonally Adjusted: An economic time series that is not statistically adjusted to eliminate seasonal fluctuations
such as weather, holidays and the opening and closing of schools. This data is not comparable month to month. All
levels of civilian labor force and CES estimates have a not seasonally adjusted series.
Part-time Workers: Persons who work less than 35 hours per week.
Part-time Workers (Economic Reasons) – Persons who work less than 35 hours weekly, but prefer to work full time.
Part-time Workers (Noneconomic Reasons) – Persons who prefer to work less than 35 hours a week (full time).
Private Service Providing: Industries that include Trade, Transportation & Utilities; Information; Financial Activities;
Professional & Business; Education & Health; Leisure & Hospitality; and Other Services. Government is not included.
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Seasonally Adjusted: A statistical adjustment eliminating the influence of weather, holidays, the opening and
closing of schools and other recurring seasonal events from an economic time series. By smoothing these seasonal
fluctuations, the data is easier to compare month to month. Only the United States and North Carolina state civilian
labor force and CES employment estimates are seasonally adjusted. Estimates for both series below the state level are
unadjusted.
Service Providing: Industries including Trade, Transportation & Utilities; Information; Financial Activities; Professional
& Business; Education & Health; Leisure & Hospitality; Other Services and Government.
Smoothed Seasonal Adjusted: Seasonally adjusted estimates that have incorporated a long-run trend smoothing
procedure. This results in estimates that are less volatile and this smoothed seasonal adjustment procedure is now part
of the LAUS estimation methodology.
Survey Week: The week each month that includes the 12th during which BLS conducts most of its surveys. Exception
may be made in November and May when the survey week may be moved forward one week to avoid holiday
collection and data problems.
Unemployed: Persons having no employment during the week that includes the 12th of the month, but were available
for work, had made specific efforts to find employment during the four weeks prior, were waiting to be recalled to a
job from which they had been laid off, or were waiting to report to a new job within 30 days.
Unemployment Insurance: Unemployment insurance is a program for the accumulation of funds paid by employers,
to be used for payment of unemployment insurance to workers during periods of job loss which is beyond their
control. Unemployment insurance replaces a part of the worker’s wage loss if he/she becomes eligible for payments.
Unemployment Rate: The number of unemployed people as a percentage of the labor force
[i.e., (unemployed/labor force) x 100].
Unemployment Compensation for Federal Employees (UCFE): Federally financed program to provide
unemployment insurance benefits to federal civilian employees.
Unemployment Compensation for Ex-Service Members (UCX): Federally financed program to provide
unemployment insurance benefits to ex-service employees.
Unemployment Trust Fund (UTF): A fund established in the Treasury of the United States which contains all monies
deposited by state agencies to the credit of their unemployment fund accounts and federal unemployment taxes
collected by the Internal Revenue Service.
Weekly Benefit Amount (WBA): The weekly benefit amount for an individual who is totally unemployed is an amount
equal to the wages paid to the individual in the last two completed quarters of the individual’s base period divided
by 52 and rounded to the next lower whole dollar. If this amount is less than $15.00, the individual is not eligible for
benefits. The weekly benefit amount may not exceed $350.00.
The weekly benefit amount for an individual who is partially unemployed or part-totally employed is the amount the
individual would receive if they were totally unemployed, reduced by the amount of any wages the individual receives
in the benefit week in excess of twenty percent (20%) of the benefit amount applicable to total unemployment and
rounded to the next lower whole dollar.
Weeks Claimed: Weeks covered for which waiting period credit or payment of compensation is requested.
Weeks Compensated: The number of weeks claimed for which Unemployment Insurance benefits are paid.
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