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NC Unemployment Rate Dips Slightly to 9.6 Percent in September; Non-farm Jobs Up by 31,500 Over-the-Year

Oct. 25, 2012. RALEIGH — North Carolina’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased 0.1 of a percentage point in September to 9.6 percent. The national rate declined 0.3 of a percentage point to 7.8 percent.

North Carolina’s September 2012 unemployment rate is 1.1 percentage point lower than a year ago. The number of people employed (smoothed seasonally adjusted) increased by 29,232 to 4,225,436 over the month, and by 61,656 over the year. The state unemployment rate in September 2011 was 10.7 percent.

Seasonally adjusted total non-farm industry employment, as gathered through the monthly establishment survey, increased by 100 to 3,953,000 in September. The major industry with the largest over-the-month increase was professional and business services, which gained 6,000, followed by construction, adding 1,100 jobs. Since September 2010, North Carolina has gained 79,300 non-farm jobs.

Since September 2011, total non-farm jobs gained 31,500 with the service providing sector increasing by 38,900, and the goods producing sector decreasing 7,400. The largest over-the-year increase of major industries was in professional and business services at 15,700, followed by education and health services, 12,100, and trade, transportation and utilities, 9,600.

The next unemployment update is scheduled for Nov. 2, when the county unemployment rates for September 2012 will be released.