N.C. jobless rate at 9.1 percent in November

According to the N.C. Employment Security Commission, North Carolina’s smoothed seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased 0.2 of a percentage point in November to 9.1 percent.

The national rate also fell 0.2 of a percentage point, from 7.9 percent to 7.7 percent. The ESC reports that North Carolina’s November 2012 unemployment rate is 1.3 percentage points lower than a year ago.

The number of people employed (smoothed seasonally adjusted) increased 34,884 to 4,304,088 over the month, and 120,527 over the year.

Seasonally adjusted total nonfarm industry employment, as gathered through the monthly establishment survey, increased 30,600 to 3,995,700 in November. The major industry with the largest over-the-month increase was trade, transportation and utilities, which gained 7,300 jobs, followed by professional and business services, 5,400; education and health services, 4,900; leisure and hospitality services, 4,600 jobs; manufacturing, 3,900; construction, 1,700; and financial activities, 600.

Since February 2010, when the state’s unemployment rate reached its highest mark of 11.4 percent, North Carolina has gained 145,300 jobs.

Since November 2011, total nonfarm jobs gained 60,000 with the service providing sector increasing by 58,100, and goods producing, 1,900. The largest over-the-year increase of major industries was in trade, transportation and utilities, 16,300, followed by leisure and hospitality services, 15,100; professional and business services, 14,900; education and health services, 10,100; manufacturing, 6,800; financial activities, 2,900; and information, 1,200.

The next unemployment update is scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 3, 2013 when the county unemployment rates for November 2012 will be released.