North Carolina Department of Commerce
Labor & Economic Analysis Division
Employment at a Glance
Civilian Labor Force
• North Carolina’s November 2014 smoothed seasonally adjusted unemployment rate, at 5.8 percent, fell 0.5 of a
percentage point from October’s revised rate. The rate was 7.2 percent in November 2013.
• At 5.8 percent, North Carolina’s unemployment rate is the same as the U.S. rate. This is the lowest North
Carolina’s unemployment rate has been since May 2008, when it was 5.8 percent.
• Over the month, the number of people unemployed dropped 8.0 percent to 270,675.
• During November, North Carolina’s smoothed seasonally adjusted labor force participation rate dropped to 60.1
percent, while the U.S. rate was unchanged at 62.8 percent.
Nonfarm Employment
• Seasonally adjusted Total Nonfarm employment for November 2014 grew by 16,400 jobs over the month, and
106,400 over the year to 4,202,900.
• Over the month, nine sectors experienced seasonally adjusted job growth: Professional & Business Services,
6,200; Trade, Transportation & Utilities, 4,200; Manufacturing, 3,100; Construction, 1,800; Government, 1,700;
Leisure & Hospitality Services, 900; Information, 800; Other Services, 500; and Mining & Logging, 100. Job
losses were reported by Education & Health Services, 2,600; and Financial Activities, 300.
• All major sectors but one reported over-the-year seasonally adjusted job increases: Professional &
Business Services, 36,900; Trade, Transportation & Utilities, 17,000; Education & Health Services, 10,600;
Manufacturing, 10,000; Construction, 9,100; Financial Activities, 7,800; Leisure & Hospitality Services, 7,700;
Other Services, 6,300; Information, 5,200; and Mining & Construction, 200. Government reported a loss of
4,400.
• Not seasonally adjusted, all but one sector reported over-the-year job growth: Professional & Business
Services, 37,200; Trade, Transportation & Utilities, 16,800; Education & Health Services, 11,300;
Construction, 9,700; Manufacturing, 8,700; Financial Activities, 7,500; Leisure & Hospitality Services, 7,000;
Other Services, 5,900; Information, 5,200; and Mining and Logging, 100. Government fell by 4,700.
• The following sectors in Manufacturing showed not seasonally adjusted over-the-year job increases: Fabricated
Metal Product, 1,800; Furniture & Related Product, 1,700; Beverage & Tobacco Product, 1,200; Wood Product,
1,000; Transportation Equipment, 900; Machinery, 500; Plastics & Rubber Products, 200; and Electrical
Equipment, Appliance & Component, 100. Losses were reported in the remaining sectors: Apparel, 700; Food,
500; Computer & Electronic Product, 400; Textile Product Mills, 400; Textile Mills, 200; and Printing &
Related Support Activities, 100. Chemical reported no change.
• Food remains North Carolina’s leading sector in manufacturing employment at 51,400. Chemical follows with
42,800.
Other Information
• Preliminary Average Hourly Earnings in North Carolina for manufacturing production workers rose 16 cents
to $16.77 in November; Average Weekly Hours increased 6 minutes to 43.4 from 43.3; and Average Weekly
Earnings grew by $8.61 to $727.82.
• The number of Initial Claims filed in North Carolina for Unemployment Insurance benefits decreased in
November to 20,011. Approximately $26.0 million was paid in regular UI benefits to 31,112 unemployed
persons across the state. The average weekly benefit amount was $230.24 (maximum weekly benefit is $350),
which does not include the $25 Federal Additional Compensation (FAC) payment from The American Recovery
and Reinvestment Act.
December 2014 NC Today i
  Table of Contents
United States/North Carolina Labor Force Data, November 2014 . .1
United States/North Carolina Unemployment Rates, January 2012–November 2014. . 2
United States Labor Force, November 2013–November 2014. . 2
North Carolina Labor Force, November 2013–November 2014. . 2
Unemployment Rates by State, October 2014 . 3
North Carolina Unemployment Rates by County, October 2014. . 4
North Carolina Total Nonfarm Employment, June 2009–November 2014. . 5
North Carolina Industry Employment, November 2014 (Seasonally Adjusted). . 6
North Carolina Industry Employment Net Change, November 2013–November 2014. . 7
North Carolina Goods Producing, January 2000–November 2014. . 8
North Carolina Service Providing, January 2000–November 2014. . 8
North Carolina Industry Supersector Employment, November 2014 (Not Seasonally Adjusted ). . 9
North Carolina MSA Total Nonfarm Employment, November 2014 (Not Seasonally Adjusted ). . 10
Employment Change in North Carolina Manufacturing Industries Comparison of November 2004, 2009 & 2014 ������ 11
Hours and Earnings, November 2013–November 2014. . .12
North Carolina Regular UI Initial Claims Activity, November 2012–November 2014. . .13
North Carolina New Claims Activity, November 2012–November 2014. . .13
North Carolina MSA Regular UI Initial Claims Activity, November 2014 . .14
Private Industry Workers Compensation Per Hours Worked, South Atlantic Region/US, September 2014.  .   .   .   . . . .15
Glossary of Terms. . .16
i i   December 2014 NC Today
Source: NC data: LAUS, Labor & Economic Analysis Division, North Carolina Department of Commerce; US data: Current Population Survey, BLS
P 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 2014, updated US population estimates are used in the national labor force estimates. The annual population adjustments affect the comparability of
national labor estimates over time.
United States/North Carolina Labor Force Data
November 2014
(Civilian Labor Force Estimates)
Month Ago Year Ago
NovemberP
2014
OctoberR
2014
NovemberAR
2013
Numeric
Change
Percent
Change
Numeric
Change
Percent
Change
North Carolina
Smoothed
Seasonally Adjusted
Labor Force 4,633,488 4,647,022 4,665,153 -13,534 -0.3 -31,665 -0.7
Employed 4,362,813 4,352,849 4,331,315 9,964 0.2 31,498 0.7
Unemployed 270,675 294,173 333,838 -23,498 -8.0 -63,163 -18.9
Unemployment Rate 5.8 6.3 7.2 -0.5 xxx -1.4 xxx
Not Seasonally Adjusted
Labor Force 4,624,458 4,680,350 4,678,247 -55,892 -1.2 -53,789 -1.1
Employed 4,378,140 4,422,157 4,352,767 -44,017 -1.0 25,373 0.6
Unemployed 246,318 258,193 325,480 -11,875 -4.6 -79,162 -24.3
Unemployment Rate 5.3 5.5 7.0 -0.2 xxx -1.7 xxx
(Civilian Labor Force Estimates)
Month Ago Year Ago
November
2014
October
2014
NovemberAR
2013
Numeric
Change
Percent
Change
Numeric
Change
Percent
Change
United States*
Seasonally Adjusted
Labor Force 156,397,000 156,278,000 155,284,000 119,000 0.1 xxx xxx
Employed 147,287,000 147,283,000 144,443,000 4,000 < 0.1 xxx xxx
Unemployed 9,110,000 8,995,000 10,841,000 115,000 1.3 xxx xxx
Unemployment Rate 5.8 5.8 7.0 0.0 xxx xxx xxx
Not Seasonally Adjusted
Labor Force 156,297,000 156,616,000 155,046,000 -319,000 -0.2 xxx xxx
Employed 147,666,000 147,936,000 144,775,000 -270,000 -0.2 xxx xxx
Unemployed 8,630,000 8,680,000 10,271,000 -50,000 -0.6 xxx xxx
Unemployment Rate 5.5 5.5 6.6 0.0 xxx xxx xxx
1 December 2014 NC Today
The smoothed seasonally adjusted North Carolina civilian labor force decreased 13,534 (0.3%) to 4,633,488 from
October 2014 to November 2014. The number of persons employed increased 9,964 (0.2%) to 4,362,813, while the
number of persons unemployed decreased 23,498 (8.0%) to 270,675. The unemployment rate decreased 0.5 of a
percentage point to 5.8 percent. The labor force participation rate declined 0.2 of a percentage point to 60.1%.
Over the year, North Carolina’s smoothed seasonally adjusted labor force decreased 31,665 (0.7%), while the
number of persons employed increased 31,498 (0.7%). The number of persons unemployed fell 63,163 (18.9%). The
unemployment rate decreased 1.4 percentage points.
The United States’ seasonally adjusted civilian labor force increased 0.1 percent over the month to 156,397,000. The
number of persons employed increased < 0.1 percent to 147,287,000, while those unemployed increased 1.3 percent
to 9,110,000. The nation’s unemployment rate was unchanged at 5.8 percent, and labor force participation rate was
the same at 62.8 percent.
United States/North Carolina Unemployment Rates
January 2012–November 2014
(Smoothed Seasonally Adjusted)
Source: NC data: LAUS, Labor & Economic Analysis Division, North Carolina Department of Commerce, US data: Current Population Survey, BLS
Note: NC November 2014 data are preliminary, other 2014 data are revised, while all other data reflect annual revision and new seasonal adjustments. US 2014 data reflect new
population estimates, while previous years’ data have undergone annual revision.
More information can be found at: http://esesc23.esc.state.nc.us/d4/LausSelection.aspx
Source: NC data: LAUS, Labor & Economic Analysis Division, North Carolina Department of Commerce, US data: Current Population Survey, BLS
Note: NC November 2014 data are preliminary, other 2014 data are revised, while all other data reflect annual revision and new seasonal adjustments. US 2014 data reflect new
population estimates, while previous years’ data have undergone annual revision.
More information can be found at: http://esesc23.esc.state.nc.us/d4/LausSelection.aspx
North Carolina Labor Force
November 2013–November 2014
(Smoothed Seasonally Adjusted)
United States Labor Force
November 2013–November 2014
(Seasonally Adjusted)
2   December 2014 NC Today
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Jan. 12
April
July
Oct.
Jan. 13
April
July
Oct.
Jan. 14
April
July
Oct.
Percent
NC US
154,000
154,750
155,500
156,250
157,000
Nov. 13
Dec. 13
Jan. 14
Feb. 14
March 14
April 14
May 14
June 14
July 14
Aug. 14
Sept. 14
Oct. 14
Nov. 14
In Thousands
US
4,625
4,650
4,675
4,700
4,725
Nov. 13
Dec. 13
Jan. 14
Feb. 14
March 14
April 14
May 14
June 14
July 14
Aug. 14
Sept. 14
Oct. 14
Nov. 14
In Thousands
NC
January 2012: 9.5
January 2012: 8.2 November 2014: 5.8
November 2014: 5.8
HI
AK
Prepared by Labor & Economic Analysis Division, North Carolina Department of Commerce 10_14
MI
Note: States' October 2014 data are preliminary. US rate is not smoothed.
NY
6.8
4.1
7.6
TX
CA
MT
AZ
ID
NV
NM
CO
IL
OR
UT
KS
WY
NE IA
SD
MN
ND
FL
OK
WI
MO
AL
WA
GA
AR
LA
IN
PA
NC
MS
TN
VA
KY
OH
SC
ME
WV
VT
NH
NJ
MA
CT
MD
DE
RI
DC
5.1
7.3
4.5
7.1
6.8 6.5
4.3
4.7
7.0
4.1
3.9
3.6
4.4
3.3
3.4
5.9
4.5
2.8
7.7
6.0
5.4
4.5
6.6
7.1
6.0
7.1
7.6 6.3
6.0
6.3
6.2
5.4
6.0
5.3
6.2
6.7
5.8
7.4
6.4
6.4
6.6
6.0
4.2
6.0
4.4
6.5
5.7
5.3
Unemployment Rates By State
Smoothed Seasonally Adjusted
October 2014
U.S. Rate = 5.8%
2.8 - 3.6
3.7 - 4.7
4.8 - 5.8
5.9 - 6.8
6.9 - 7.7
Georgia had the highest unemployment rate among the states in October at 7.7 percent. North Dakota, again, had the
lowest jobless rate of 2.8 percent. In total, 16 states had unemployment rates significantly lower than the U.S. figure
of 5.8 percent, 12 states and the District of Columbia had measurably higher rates, and 22 states had rates that
were not appreciably different from that of the nation
In October, 17 states had statistically significant over-the-month unemployment rate declines. The largest of these
decreases were in Kentucky (0.5 of a percentage point) and Colorado, Idaho, Missouri, and North Carolina (0.4 of
a percentage point each). Washington had the only significant over-the-month rate increase (0.3 of a percentage
point). The remaining 32 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-seven states had statistically significant unemployment rate changes over the year, all of which were
decreases. The largest of these occurred in Illinois (2.5 percentage points), Nevada (2.3 points), Colorado (2.2
points), and Ohio (2.1 points). The remaining 23 states and the District of Columbia had rates that were not
appreciably different from those of a year earlier.
Among North Carolina’s neighboring states, unemployment rates in October increased in South Carolina (0.1 of a
percentage point) and decreased in Georgia, Tennessee, and Virginia (0.2 of a percentage point each).
More information can be found at: http://www.bls.gov/lau/
December 2014 NC Today 3
  Alleghany
5.9
Currituck
Camden 4.4
Surry 5.5
5.6
Gates
Stokes 6.0
4.9
Granville
Caswell 6.0
5.9
Person
5.1
Wilkes
6.0
Watauga
5.0
Avery
5.7
Yadkin
4.4
Dare
5.0
Forsyth
5.2 Franklin
5.0
Guilford
5.7 Alamance
5.5
Orange
4.0 Durham
4.8
Mitchell
6.0
Tyrrell
5.4
Yancey
Madison 5.6
4.4
Wake
4.4
Iredell
5.2
Davie
4.8
Alexander
4.8
Davidson
McDowell 5.7
5.7
Randolph
5.1
Chatham
Rowan 3.8
5.6
Buncombe
Haywood 4.0
4.4
Catawba
5.7 Pitt
Johnston 5.6
4.9 Hyde
5.4
Greene
5.2
Cleveland
5.9
Wayne
6.0
Jackson
4.4
Lincoln
Henderson 5.3
4.0
Mecklenburg
5.6
Cabarrus
4.9 Moore
5.3
Montgomery
6.0
Stanly
Transylvania 4.9
5.5
Polk
4.2
Gaston
Macon 5.7
5.2 Pamlico
5.8
Sampson
5.2
Clay
5.0
Carteret
5.1
Union
4.6
Hoke
6.0 Duplin
6.0
Onslow
5.9
Pender
5.7
New
Hanover
5.2
Brunswick
6.0
Ashe
6.3
Hertford
6.6
Northampton
Warren 7.4
8.1
Rockingham
6.1
Vance
8.2 Pasquotank
7.5
Halifax
8.5 Perquimans
7.3
Chowan
7.0
Bertie
Nash 7.7
7.1 Edgecombe
10.1
Caldwell
6.2
Martin
6.5
Washington
Burke 6.5
6.3 Wilson
7.8
Swain
6.4 Beaufort
Rutherford 6.6
7.2
Lee
7.4 Harnett
6.3
Graham
11.2
Lenoir
6.4
Craven
6.4
Cherokee
7.4
Cumberland
6.5 Jones
Anson 6.9
7.1
Richmond
7.2
Scotland
10.2
Robeson
8.0
Bladen
8.1
Columbus
7.4
North Carolina Unemployment Rates by County
October 2014
Note: October 2014 data are preliminary.
Prepared by Labor & Economic Analysis Division, North Carolina Department of Commerce 11_2014
North Carolina Rate 5.5%
Not Seasonally Adjusted
2 Counties Higher Than Previous Month
98 Counties Lower Than Previous Month
0 Counties Same as Previous Month
^^
=
October 2014
3.8 - 5.0
5.1 - 6.0
6.1 - 7.0
7.1 - 8.5
8.6 - 11.5
Between September 2014 and October 2014, not seasonally adjusted unemployment rates decreased in 98 of
North Carolina’s 100 counties and increased in two. Northampton County reported the largest over-the-month
decline of 1.1 percentage points from its revised September rate of 8.5 percent. Three counties across the state
had unemployment rates at 10.0 percent or above, 74 between 5.0 percent and 10.0 percent, and 23 at 5.0 percent
or below. Thirty-nine counties were at or below the statewide not seasonally adjusted rate of 5.5 percent. Graham
County had the highest unemployment rate at 11.2 percent, while Chatham County had the lowest at 3.8 percent.
Over the year, not seasonally adjusted unemployment rates fell in 99 counties and remained the same in one.
Scotland County had the largest over-the-year decrease of 3.8 percentage points. The October 2013 county rates
ranged from 14.0 percent in Scotland County to 4.6 percent in Chatham County.
More information can be found at: http://esesc23.esc.state.nc.us/d4/LausSelection.aspx
4   December 2014 NC Today
The beginning of the last recession was December 2007 and ended June 2009. Based on this designation, the
national recession officially lasted 18 months. However, North Carolina, like the rest of the nation, is still dealing
with a prolonged period of high unemployment and slow job growth.
While the recession officially began in December 2007, North Carolina’s seasonally adjusted Total Nonfarm
employment peaked in February 2008 at 4,174,500. The state had 24 months of continuous decline until it reached
its lowest level of Total Nonfarm employment in February 2010 when employment reached 3,839,200.
Between the peak in employment in February 2008 and the low in February 2010, North Carolina lost 335,300 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 5,900 jobs and 3,900 jobs, respectively.
The largest job losses were reported in Manufacturing (98,700), Trade, Transportation & Utilities (74,000),
Construction (71,900), and Professional & Business Services (37,000).
Based on November’s preliminary employment estimates, North Carolina’s economy has gained 363,700 jobs since
the low in February 2010, and employment in the Private sector has risen by 365,500. The largest job growth has
been in Professional & Business Services, which added 128,700 jobs, followed by Trade, Transportation, & Utilities
(72,400) and Leisure & Hospitality Services (58,300). The only job loss occurred in Government with 1,800 jobs.
North Carolina
Total Nonfarm Employment
June 2009–November 2014
(Seasonally Adjusted)
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: November 2014 data are preliminary, other 2014 data are revised, while all other data are benchmarked. Recession represents the dates December 2007–June 2009.
December 2014 NC Today 5
 
3,800
3,900
4,000
4,100
4,200
4,300
July 09
Oct. 09
Jan. 10
April 10
July 10
Oct. 10
Jan. 11
April 11
July 11
Oct. 11
Jan. 12
April 12
July 12
Oct. 12
Jan. 13
April 13
July 13
Oct. 13
Jan. 14
April 14
July 14
Oct. 14
In Thousands
June 2009: 3,897,000
February 2010: 3,839,200
End of Recession to
Current Month Difference:
305,900
November 2014: 4,202,900
North Carolina Industry Employment
November 2014
(Seasonally Adjusted, In Thousands)
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
Total Employment Net & Percent Change
NAICS Industry NovemberP
2014
OctoberR
2014
NovemberB
2013
From October
2014
From November
2013
Net Percent Net Percent
Total Nonfarm 4,202.9 4,186.5 4,096.5 16.4 0.4% 106.4 2.6%
Total Private 3,487.6 3,472.9 3,376.8 14.7 0.4% 110.8 3.3%
Goods Producing 640.1 635.1 620.8 5.0 0.8% 19.3 3.1%
Service Providing 3,562.8 3,551.4 3,475.7 11.4 0.3% 87.1 2.5%
Private Service Providing 2,847.5 2,837.8 2,756.0 9.7 0.3% 91.5 3.3%
Mining & Logging 5.7 5.6 5.5 0.1 1.8% 0.2 3.6%
Construction 182.3 180.5 173.2 1.8 1.0% 9.1 5.3%
Manufacturing 452.1 449.0 442.1 3.1 0.7% 10.0 2.3%
Durable Goods 245.0 241.5 235.3 3.5 1.4% 9.7 4.1%
Nondurable Goods 207.1 207.5 206.8 -0.4 -0.2% 0.3 0.1%
Trade, Transportation & Utilities 781.5 777.3 764.5 4.2 0.5% 17.0 2.2%
Wholesale Trade 180.8 181.8 176.4 -1.0 -0.6% 4.4 2.5%
Retail Trade 474.8 469.4 464.5 5.4 1.2% 10.3 2.2%
Transportation, Warehousing & Utilities 125.9 126.1 123.6 -0.2 -0.2% 2.3 1.9%
Information 75.0 74.2 69.8 0.8 1.1% 5.2 7.4%
Financial Activities 213.6 213.9 205.8 -0.3 -0.1% 7.8 3.8%
Finance & Insurance 160.6 159.7 156.8 0.9 0.6% 3.8 2.4%
Real Estate, Rental & Leasing 53.0 54.2 49.0 -1.2 -2.2% 4.0 8.2%
Professional & Business Services 600.3 594.1 563.4 6.2 1.0% 36.9 6.5%
Professional, Scientific & Technical Svcs 219.4 215.9 200.7 3.5 1.6% 18.7 9.3%
Management of Companies & Enterprises 80.3 80.2 78.7 0.1 0.1% 1.6 2.0%
Admin. & Support & Waste Mgmt. 300.6 298.0 284.0 2.6 0.9% 16.6 5.8%
Education & Health Services 575.6 578.2 565.0 -2.6 -0.4% 10.6 1.9%
Educational Services 82.5 84.0 78.5 -1.5 -1.8% 4.0 5.1%
Health Care & Social Assistance 493.1 494.2 486.5 -1.1 -0.2% 6.6 1.4%
Leisure & Hospitality Services 445.1 444.2 437.4 0.9 0.2% 7.7 1.8%
Arts, Entertainment & Recreation 62.2 60.9 61.9 1.3 2.1% 0.3 0.5%
Accommodation & Food Services 382.9 383.3 375.5 -0.4 -0.1% 7.4 2.0%
Other Services 156.4 155.9 150.1 0.5 0.3% 6.3 4.2%
Government 715.3 713.6 719.7 1.7 0.2% -4.4 -0.6%
Federal 69.4 68.5 68.9 0.9 1.3% 0.5 0.7%
State 200.7 200.0 207.7 0.7 0.3% -7.0 -3.4%
Local 445.2 445.1 443.1 0.1 <0.1% 2.1 0.5%
6   December 2014 NC Today
In November 2014, North Carolina’s seasonally adjusted Total Nonfarm employment increased by 16,400 jobs over
the month and 106,400 jobs over the year. The United States added 321,000 Total Nonfarm jobs over the month and
2,734,000 over the year.
North Carolina’s Total Private Sector gained 14,700 jobs over the month and 110,800 jobs over the year. The Service
Providing industries, which includes all industries except Mining & Logging, Construction, and Manufacturing, rose
by 11,400 jobs over the month and 87,100 jobs over the year. The Goods Producing industries gained 5,000 jobs
over the month and 19,300 jobs over the year.
Seasonally adjusted, nine of the 11 major North Carolina industrial sectors reported job gains over the month.
Professional & Business Services (6,200) had the largest net increase, followed by Trade, Transportation & Utilities
(4,200); Manufacturing (3,100); Construction (1,800); Government (1,700); Leisure & Hospitality Services (900);
Information (800); Other Services (500); and Mining & Logging (100).
Of the remaining two industrial sectors, Education & Health Services lost 2,600 jobs and Financial Activities, 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 changes in industry employment, it is advisable to focus on over-the-year changes in
both the seasonally adjusted and not seasonally adjusted series.
Ten out of the 11 major industrial sectors had seasonally adjusted job growth over the year. Professional & Business
Services increased by 36,900 jobs, due to gains in Professional, Scientific & Technical Services (18,700), Admin
& Support & Waste Management & Remediation Services (16,600), and Management of Companies & Enterprises
(1,600). Trade, Transportation & Utilities added 17,000 with gains in Retail Trade (10,300), Wholesale Trade (4,400),
and Transportation & Utilities (2,300). Education & Health Services rose by 10,600 with gains in Health Care &
Social Assistance (6,600) and Educational Services (4,000). Manufacturing grew by 10,000 jobs with gains in
Durable Goods (9,700) and Nondurable Goods (300). Construction increased by 9,100 jobs. Financial Activities
added 7,800 jobs with gains in Real Estate & Rental & Leasing (4,000) and Finance & Insurance (3,800). Leisure
& Hospitality Services rose by 7,700 jobs due to gains in Accommodation & Food Services (7,400) and Arts,
Entertainment and Recreation (300). Other Services increased by 6,300 positions. Information gained 5,200 jobs.
Mining & Logging added 200 jobs. The only sector showing a loss was Government with an overall decrease of
4,400 jobs over the year due to a decline in State Government (7,000) and gains in Local Government (2,100) and
Federal Government (500).
North Carolina Industry Employment Net Change
November 2013–November 2014
(Seasonally Adjusted)
December 2014 NC Today 7
 
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
-4.4
0.2
5.2
6.3
7.7
7.8
9.1
10.0
10.6
17.0
36.9
-5.0 0.0 5.0 10.0 15.0 20.0 25.0 30.0 35.0 40.0
Government
Mining and Logging
Information
Other Services
Leisure and Hospitality Services
Financial Activities
Construction
Manufacturing
Education and Health Services
Trade, Transportation and Utilities
Professional and Business Services
Since the beginning of the 2007 national recession (December 2007), North Carolina’s Goods Producing sector has
lost 151,900 jobs and 1,500 jobs since the end of the recession in June 2009.
Since the beginning of the 2007 national recession (December 2007), North Carolina’s Service Providing sector has
gained 186,800 jobs and 307,400 jobs since the end of the recession in June 2009.
North Carolina Goods Producing
January 2000–November 2014
(Seasonally Adjusted)
Source: CES, North Carolina Department of Commerce, Labor & Economic Analysis Division
Note: November 2014 data are preliminary, other 2014 data are revised, 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
North Carolina Service Providing
January 2000–November 2014
(Seasonally Adjusted)
Source: CES, Labor & Economic Analysis Division, North Carolina Department of Commerce.
Note: November 2014 data are preliminary, other 2014 data are revised, 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
8   December 2014 NC Today
500
575
650
725
800
875
950
1,025
1,100
Jan. 00
Jan. 01
Jan. 02
Jan. 03
Jan. 04
Jan. 05
Jan. 06
Jan. 07
Jan. 08
Jan. 09
Jan. 10
Jan. 11
Jan. 12
Jan. 13
Jan. 14
In Thousands
Goods Producing
2001 Recession 2007-2009 Recession
2,800
2,900
3,000
3,100
3,200
3,300
3,400
3,500
3,600
Jan. 00
Jan. 01
Jan. 02
Jan. 03
Jan. 04
Jan. 05
Jan. 06
Jan. 07
Jan. 08
Jan. 09
Jan. 10
Jan. 11
Jan. 12
Jan. 13
Jan. 14
In Thousands
Service Providing
2001 Recession 2007-2009 Recession
December 2007: 792,000
June 2009: 641,600
November 2014: 640,100
March 2001: 2,960,200
November 2001: 2,943,200
December 2007: 3,376,000
November 2014: 3,562,800
June 2009: 3,255,400
March 2001: 970,400
November 2001: 904,000
North Carolina Industry Supersector Employment
November 2014
(Not Seasonally Adjusted, In Thousands)
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
The November 2014 not seasonally adjusted Total Nonfarm employment level of 4,237,100 was 16,700 higher than
October 2014. Nine of the 11 major industries in North Carolina showed an over-the-month increase. Government
had the largest rise in employment at 6,800 (0.9%), followed by Trade, Transportation & Utilities 14,600 (1.9%);
Construction, 1,500 (0.8%); Manufacturing, 1,400 (0.3%); Other Services, 600 (0.4%); Education & Health Services,
500 (0.1%); Professional & Business Services, 300 (<0.1%); Information, 200 (0.3%); and Mining & Logging, 100
(1.8%).
Of the two remaining industrial sectors, Leisure & Hospitality Services lost 7,500 (1.7%) jobs and Financial
Activities, 1,800 (0.8%). Over the year, the Service Providing sector (all industries except Mining & Logging,
Construction, and Manufacturing) increased by 86,200 (2.5%) jobs. Professional & Business Services, at 37,200
(6.6%), experienced the largest employment growth, followed by Trade, Transportation & Utilities, 16,800 (2.2%);
Education & Health Services, 11,300 (2.0%); Financial Activities, 7,500 (3.7%); Leisure & Hospitality Services, 7,000
(1.6%); Information, 5,200 (7.4%); and Other Services, 5,900 (3.9%). Government reported a 4,700 (0.6%) loss over
the year.
The Goods Producing sector had a net gain of 18,600 (3.0%) jobs over the year. Construction added 9,700 (5.5%)
jobs, Manufacturing, 8,700 (2.0%); and Mining & Logging, 200 (3.6%).
Total Employment Net & Percent Change
NAICS Industry NovemberP
2014
OctoberR
2014
NovemberB
2013
From October
2014
From November
2013
Net Percent Net Percent
Total Nonfarm 4,237.1 4,220.4 4,132.3 16.7 0.4% 104.8 2.5%
Total Private 3,501.4 3,491.5 3,391.9 9.9 0.3% 109.5 3.2%
Goods Producing 644.6 641.6 626.0 3.0 0.5% 18.6 3.0%
Service Providing 3,592.5 3,578.8 3,506.3 13.7 0.4% 86.2 2.5%
Private Service Providing 2,856.8 2,849.9 2,765.9 6.9 0.2% 90.9 3.3%
Mining & Logging 5.7 5.6 5.5 0.1 1.8% 0.2 3.6%
Construction 186.7 185.2 177.0 1.5 0.8% 9.7 5.5%
Manufacturing 452.2 450.8 443.5 1.4 0.3% 8.7 2.0%
Trade, Transportation & Utilities 792.5 777.9 775.7 14.6 1.9% 16.8 2.2%
Information 75.1 74.9 69.9 0.2 0.3% 5.2 7.4%
Financial Activities 211.9 213.7 204.4 -1.8 -0.8% 7.5 3.7%
Professional & Business Services 602.2 601.9 565.0 0.3 <0.1% 37.2 6.6%
Education & Health Services 581.4 580.9 570.1 0.5 0.1% 11.3 2.0%
Leisure & Hospitality Services 437.9 445.4 430.9 -7.5 -1.7% 7.0 1.6%
Other Services 155.8 155.2 149.9 0.6 0.4% 5.9 3.9%
Government 735.7 728.9 740.4 6.8 0.9% -4.7 -0.6%
December 2014 NC Today 9
  North Carolina MSA Total Nonfarm Employment
November 2014
(Not Seasonally Adjusted, In Thousands)
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
In not seasonally adjusted data, all but one of North Carolina’s Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) had over-the-month
Total Nonfarm employment increases in November. The Charlotte/Gastonia/Rock Hill MSA posted the largest
growth of 7,200 jobs, while the Winston-Salem MSA posted a loss of 1,200 jobs.
Mining, Logging and Construction reported either employment losses or no changes in all but one MSA over the
month. Raleigh/Cary posted the only gain of 500 jobs, while Greensboro-High Point and Wilmington both reported
the largest losses at 200 jobs each.
Manufacturing had either employment gains or no changes in all but one MSA over the month. Charlotte/Gastonia/
Rock Hill had the largest gain of 400 jobs with all of it coming from Nondurable Goods. Fayetteville posted the only
loss at 100 jobs.
Trade, Transportation & Utilities employment increased in all of the MSAs over the month. Charlotte/Gastonia/Rock
Hill had the largest gain at 4,600 jobs with most of it coming from Retail Trade (4,500). Raleigh/Cary posted the
next highest gain at 2,600 jobs with most of it also coming from Retail Trade (2,500).
Information employment remained unchanged in all but three MSAs. Charlotte/Gastonia/Rock Hill posted a gain of
300 jobs, while Greenville and Raleigh/Cary each posted a 100 job gain.
Financial Activities employment either reported losses or were unchanged in all but one MSA. Charlotte/Gastonia/
Rock Hill gained 200 jobs, while Greensboro/High Point and Raleigh/Cary posted the largest losses at 200 jobs
each.
Professional & Business Services employment varied across the month. Charlotte/Gastonia/Rock Hill showed
the largest increase at 1,500 jobs with most coming from Administrative, Support & Waste Management (1,200).
Winston-Salem had the largest loss at 800 jobs.
Education & Health Services employment varied over the month. The largest increases came from Durham/Chapel
Hill and Greensboro/High Point with gains of 500 jobs each. Winston-Salem posted the greatest loss of 400 jobs.
Total Employment Net & Percent Change
Metropolitan Statistical Area NovemberP
2014
OctoberR
2014
NovemberB
2013
From October
2014
From November
2013
Net Percent Net Percent
Asheville 183.6 183.4 177.7 0.2 0.1% 5.9 3.3%
Burlington 61.0 60.4 59.4 0.6 1.0% 1.6 2.7%
Charlotte/Gastonia/Rock Hill NC-SC 918.1 910.9 892.0 7.2 0.8% 26.1 2.9%
Durham/Chapel Hill 294.1 292.5 290.2 1.6 0.5% 3.9 1.3%
Fayetteville 133.2 132.0 132.9 1.2 0.9% 0.3 0.2%
Goldsboro 43.9 43.5 43.7 0.4 0.9% 0.2 0.5%
Greensboro/High Point 355.8 353.5 351.9 2.3 0.7% 3.9 1.1%
Greenville 84.2 83.2 82.8 1.0 1.2% 1.4 1.7%
Hickory/Lenoir/Morganton 147.4 147.1 147.0 0.3 0.2% 0.4 0.3%
Jacksonville 50.4 49.9 49.5 0.5 1.0% 0.9 1.8%
Raleigh/Cary 574.7 570.5 555.4 4.2 0.7% 19.3 3.5%
Rocky Mount 55.8 54.9 56.1 0.9 1.6% -0.3 -0.5%
Wilmington 147.8 147.0 144.0 0.8 0.5% 3.8 2.6%
Winston-Salem 212.8 214.0 211.3 -1.2 -0.6% 1.5 0.7%
1 0   December 2014 NC Today
Leisure & Hospitality Services employment either decreased or remained unchanged in all but two MSAs this
month. Charlotte/Gastonia/Rock Hill had the largest loss at 1,900 jobs due to a decline in Arts, Entertainment &
Recreation (2,000), and a gain in Accommodation & Food Services (100). Raleigh/Cary posted the largest increase
at 500 jobs due to a gain in Accommodation & Food Services (600) and a loss in Arts, Entertainment & Recreation
(100), followed by Fayetteville with a 100 job gain.
Other Services employment either increased or remained unchanged in all but one MSA this month. Burlington,
Charlotte/Gastonia/Rock Hill, Fayetteville, and Winston-Salem MSAs each posted a 100 job gain, while Wilmington
had the only loss at 100 jobs.
Government employment increased or remained unchanged in all of the MSAs. Charlotte/Gastonia/Rock Hill had
the largest gain at 1,700 jobs due to increases in Local Government (1,400), State Government (200), and Federal
Government (100).
Not seasonally adjusted, the Manufacturing industrial sector gained 1,400 jobs over the month with an increase in
Durable Goods (1,900) and a decrease in Nondurable Goods (500).
Manufacturing grew by 8,700 jobs over the year with most of the increase coming from Durable Goods (8,600).
Of North Carolina’s six largest Manufacturing industries in November 2004, five have experienced losses over the
past 10 years. Textile Mills lost 32,000 jobs; Furniture & Related Product, 23,100; Computer & Electronic Product,
5,800; Fabricated Metal Product, 3,700; and Chemical, 1,700 jobs. Food gained 600 jobs.
Of North Carolina’s six largest Manufacturing industries in November 2009, three had losses and three had gains
over the past five years. Computer & Electronic Product lost 2,000 jobs; Textile Mills, 1,600; and Food, 1,100.
Fabricated Metal Product gained 5,400 jobs; Furniture & Related Product, 2,200 jobs; and Chemical, 1,700.
Employment Change in North Carolina Manufacturing Industries
Comparison of November 2004, 2009 & 2014
(Not Seasonally Adjusted)
Source: CES, Labor & Economic Analysis Division, North Carolina Department of Commerce.
Note: 2014 data are preliminary, while 2004 and 2009 data are benchmarked. More information can be found at: http://esesc23.esc.state.nc.us/d4/CesSelection.aspx
December 2014 NC Today 11
 
0
15
30
45
60
75
Wood Product
Fabricated Metal Product
Machinery
Computers & Electronic
Product
Electrical Equipment &
Appliances
Transportation Equipment
Furniture & Related Product
Food
Beverages & Tobacco Product
Textile Mills
Textile Product Mills
Apparel Mfg.
Printing
Chemical
Plastics & Rubber
In Thousands
November 2004 November 2009 November 2014
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 increases in Average Weekly Earnings,
Average Hourly Earnings, and Average Weekly Hours. Average Weekly Earnings rose by $25.32 to $781.33, Average
Hourly Earnings grew by $0.41 to $22.26, and Average Weekly Hours added 0.5 (30 minutes) to 35.1. Over the year,
Total Private Hours & Earnings posted gains in Average Weekly Earnings, $32.59; Average Hourly Earnings, $0.62;
and Average Weekly Hours, 0.5 (30 minutes).
Manufacturing Hours and Earnings posted over-the-month increases in Average Weekly Earnings, Average Hourly
Earnings and Average Weekly Hours. Average Weekly Earnings increased by $19.10 to $913.32, Average Hourly
Earnings rose by $0.15 to $21.24, and Average Weekly Hours grew by 0.6 (36 minutes) to 43.0. Over the year,
Manufacturing Hours & Earnings posted gains in Average Weekly Earnings, $47.67; Average Hourly Earnings, $0.28;
and Average Weekly Hours, 1.7 (102 minutes).
Production Hours and Earnings posted over-the-month increases in Average Hourly Earnings,
Average Weekly Earnings, and Average Weekly Hours. Average Hourly Earnings increased $0.16 to $16.77; Average
Weekly Earnings rose $8.61 to $727.82; and Average Weekly Hours added 0.1 (6 minutes) to 43.4. Over the year,
Production Hours & Earnings posted gains in Average Hourly Earnings, $0.03; Average Weekly Earnings, $16.37;
and Average Weekly Hours 0.9 (54 minutes).
Hours and Earnings
November 2013–November 2014
(Not Seasonally Adjusted)
Source: CES, Labor & Economic Analysis Division, North Carolina Department of Commerce. Note: November 2014 data are preliminary, other 2014 data are revised, while 2013 are
benchmarked. More information can be found at: http://esesc23.esc.state.nc.us/d4/CesSelection.aspx
Average Weekly Hours Average Hourly Earnings Average Weekly Earnings
Total
Private Mfg. Production Total
Private Mfg. Production Total
Private Mfg. Production
November 2013 34.6 41.3 42.5 $21.64 $20.96 $16.74 $748.74 $865.65 $711.45
December 34.7 41.8 42.8 $21.85 $21.14 $17.01 $758.20 $883.65 $728.03
January 34.0 40.8 41.6 $21.83 $20.90 $16.79 $742.22 $852.72 $698.46
February 33.3 40.3 39.9 $22.48 $21.24 $16.52 $748.58 $855.97 $659.15
March 35.2 43.5 43.9 $22.19 $20.81 $16.75 $781.09 $905.24 $735.33
April 34.8 43.4 43.6 $21.73 $20.57 $16.72 $756.20 $892.74 $728.99
May 34.7 42.7 43.1 $21.64 $20.77 $16.81 $750.91 $886.88 $724.51
June 35.2 43.4 43.8 $21.74 $20.85 $16.68 $765.25 $904.89 $730.58
July 34.7 42.2 43.0 $21.62 $21.07 $16.74 $750.21 $889.15 $719.82
August 34.9 42.8 43.6 $21.65 $20.95 $16.68 $755.59 $896.66 $727.25
September 34.7 42.9 43.9 $21.88 $21.22 $16.67 $759.24 $910.34 $731.81
October 34.6 42.4 43.3 $21.85 $21.09 $16.61 $756.01 $894.22 $719.21
November 2014 35.1 43.0 43.4 $22.26 $21.24 $16.77 $781.33 $913.32 $727.82
1 2   December 2014 NC Today
North Carolina Regular UI Initial Claims Activity
November 2012–November 2014
Source: WRE, Labor & Economic Analysis Division, North Carolina Department of Commerce.
More information can be found at: https://www.ncesc1.com
North Carolina New Claims Activity
November 2012–November 2014
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 20,011 for the month ending Nov. 30, 2014, decreased 2,816 (14%) from the
prior month’s total of 22,827. Regular Initial Claims were down 6,262 (24%) compared to 26,273 in November 2013;
decreased 40,794 (67%) compared to 60,805 in 2012; fell 44,611 (69%) compared to 64,622 in 2011; dropped 51,866
(72%) compared to 71,877 in 2010; and decreased 68,927 (78%) compared to 88,938 in November 2009.
Attached Initial Claims accounted for less than 1.0 percent of the Initial Claims for the months ending Nov. 30, 2014
and Nov. 30, 2013. They accounted for 28,595 (47%) of the 60,805 Initial Claims for the same period in 2012; 31,789
(49%) of 64,622 claims in 2011; 34,848 (49%) of 71,877 claims in 2010; and 47,519 (53%) of 88,938 claims in 2009.
For the month ending Nov. 30, 2014, decreases in Initial Claims were most notable in the following industries:
Health Services; Business Services; Miscellaneous Services; Depository Institutions; General Merchandise Stores;
Food and Kindred Products; Rubber and Miscellaneous Plastics Products; Miscellaneous Manufacturing Industries;
Textile Mill Products; Food Stores; Building Materials, Hardware, Garden Supply and Mobile Home Dealers;
Wholesale Trade-Durable Goods; Motor Freight Transportation and Warehousing; and in Educational Services. The
increases in Initial Claims were most notable in the following industries: Amusement and Recreation Services;
Heavy Construction (Other than Building Construction-Contractors); Eating and Drinking Places; Hotels, Rooming
Houses, Camps and Other Lodging Places; and in Agricultural Services.
December 2014 NC Today 13
 
0
20,000
40,000
60,000
80,000
100,000
Nov. 12
Feb. 13
May 13
Aug. 13
Nov. 13
Feb. 14
May 14
Aug. 14
Nov. 14
0
10,000
20,000
30,000
40,000
50,000
60,000
Nov. 12
Feb. 13
May 13
Aug. 13
Nov. 13
Feb. 14
May 14
Aug. 14
Nov. 14
November 2014: 20,011
November 2012: 60,805
November 2012: 37,081
November 2014: 16,446
North Carolina MSA Regular UI Initial Claims Activity
November 2014
Source: WRE, Labor & Economic Analysis Division, North Carolina Department of Commerce. Note: ‘Regular Initial Claims’ represent transactions and not individuals.
*Only includes claims activity in North Carolina. **Does not include Extended Benefits and Federal Additional Compensation.
More information can be found at: https://www.ncesc1.com
The Division of Employment Security paid $26,021,203 in regular Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits to
unemployed claimants across North Carolina during November 2014. These benefits were paid to 31,112 individuals
during the month — a decrease of 2,171 claimants since October 2014. A total of $1,016,767 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 113,018 weeks compensated for Regular UI under the
State UI program, with an average UI weekly benefit amount of $230.24 (maximum weekly benefit is $350).
During November 2014, the NC UI Trust and State Reserve Funds collected $176.6 million in UI taxes and reported
interest of $5,894.03. The Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund balance was at a deficit of $461.4 million on Nov.
30, 2014. The federal loan had a balance of $465.8 million, and the State Reserve Fund had a balance of $40.3
million.
Transactions Individuals
Metropolitan Statistical Area Initial
Claims Female African-
American White 45 Years
and Older
Regular UI
Benefits**
Asheville 626 272 62 522 276 $698,799
Burlington 274 116 85 162 100 $373,443
Charlotte/Gastonia/Rock Hill NC-SC* 3,143 1,504 1,484 1,321 1,098 $4,956,258
Durham/Chapel Hill 824 371 448 286 310 $1,183,792
Fayetteville 781 372 449 226 248 $807,784
Goldsboro 235 112 113 98 93 $343,271
Greensboro/High Point 1,507 718 652 726 590 $1,870,739
Greenville 336 162 235 74 97 $419,683
Hickory/Lenior/Morganton 675 326 101 526 269 $821,106
Jacksonville 284 112 76 168 97 $310,200
Raleigh/Cary 1,892 829 745 908 757 $3,153,494
Rocky Mount 409 214 289 91 146 $453,948
Wilmington 902 416 169 660 357 $937,625
Winston-Salem 786 354 328 398 307 $1,019,787
MSA Total 12,674 5,878 5,236 6,166 4,745 $17,349,929
NC Statewide Total 20,011 9,228 7,545 10,415 7,654 $26,021,203
% of MSA Total to NC Statewide Total 63.3% 63.7% 69.4% 59.2% 62.0% 66.7%
1 4   December 2014 NC Today
Private Industry Workers Compensation Per Hours Worked
South Atlantic Region/United States
September 2014
The South Atlantic Region’s Total Compensation of $28.09 per hour worked in September 2014 was $1.93 lower
than the national average of $30.02. Comparatively, the South Atlantic Division paid a majority of wages to Legally
Required Benefits while, nationally, the largest portion was paid to Insurance.
Wages and Salaries reported for the South Atlantic comprised 71.3 percent of Total Compensation. Nationally,
Wages and Salaries comprised 69.8 percent.
The Region’s Retirement and Savings cost $1.02 and was 3.6 percent of Total Compensation. Retirement and
Savings reported nationally for the same time period was $1.23 (4.1%).
Legally Required Benefits were 7.8 percent of Total Compensation for the Region, and 8.1 percent nationally. Social
Security and Medicare were 6.0 percent of Total Compensation for the region and 5.8 percent nationally.
Health Insurance Benefits comprised 7.2 percent of Total Compensation (or 25.2% of Total Benefits) in the region,
while comprising 7.8 percent (25.8% of Total Benefits) nationally.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employer Cost for Employee Compensation. 1Includes premium pay for work in addition to the regular work schedule (such as overtime, weekends and
holidays). 2Comprises the Old-Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance (OASDI) program. Note: May not sum due to rounding. Not adjusted for inflation. Most recent data available. Private
industry workers. South Atlantic Region includes: Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia. More information
can be found at: http://www.bls.gov/schedule/archives/ecec_nr.htm
South Atlantic United States
Cost Percent Cost Percent
Total Compensation $28.09 100.0% $30.02 100.0%
Wages & Salaries $20.02 71.3% $21.18 69.8%
Total Benefits $8.07 28.7% $9.14 30.2%
Paid Leave $1.95 7.0% $2.10 6.9%
Vacation $1.01 3.6% $1.09 3.6%
Holiday $0.60 2.1% $0.64 2.1%
Sick $0.24 0.8% $0.26 0.8%
Personal $0.11 0.4% $0.11 0.4%
Supplemental Pay $0.74 2.6% $0.86 2.8%
Overtime & Premium1 $0.24 0.9% $0.25 0.8%
Shift Differentials $0.06 0.2% $0.06 0.2%
Nonproduction Bonuses $0.44 1.6% $0.54 1.8%
Insurance $2.16 7.7% $2.50 8.3%
Life $0.04 0.1% $0.04 0.1%
Health $2.03 7.2% $2.36 7.8%
Short-Term Disability $0.05 0.2% $0.06 0.2%
Long-Term Disability $0.04 0.2% $0.05 0.2%
Retirement & Savings $1.02 3.6% $1.23 4.1%
Defined Benefits $0.42 1.5% $0.58 1.9%
Defined Contribution $0.60 2.1% $0.65 2.1%
Legally Required Benefits $2.20 7.8% $2.45 8.1%
Social Security & Medicare $1.68 6.0% $1.77 5.8%
Social Security2 $1.35 4.8% $1.42 4.7%
Medicare $0.33 1.2% $0.35 1.2%
Federal Unemployment Insurance $0.04 0.1% $0.04 0.1%
State Unemployment Insurance $0.15 0.5% $0.22 0.7%
Workers’ Compensation $0.33 1.2% $0.43 1.4%
December 2014 NC Today 15
  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.
Glossary of Terms
1 6   December 2014 NC Today
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
(six-digit, 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.
December 2014 NC Today 17
  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 December 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.
1 8   December 2014 NC Today
Prepared by: