RALEIGH — North Carolina gained 17,000 nonfarm jobs in January, according to statistics released today by the state’s Department of Commerce. Over the year, that state has seen an increase of 50,600 jobs. The state’s January unemployment rate decreased to 10.2 percent from December’s benchmark rate of 10.4 percent.
“We are encouraged by total job growth since this time last year and the job gains in January,” said N.C. Department of Commerce Deputy Secretary Dale Carroll. “There were job increases in a majority of the job sectors. We remain committed to assisting our customers statewide with our programs and services available at our employment services offices.”
Seasonally adjusted total nonfarm industry employment, as gathered through the monthly establishment survey increased by 17,000 to 3,949,200 in January. Since January 2011, private sector jobs have increased by 55,400. Over-the-year, professional & business services had the largest job gain with 13,900.
The NC rate is still higher than the national average. 10.2% for NC and 8.3% for National for January 2012.
10.2% is the lowest rate in North Carolina in more than a year.