May 2010
North Carolina Employment At A Glance
Civilian Labor Force
 North Carolina’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate, at 10.3 percent, decreased 0.5 of a percentage
point from the previous month. The rate was 10.9 percent in May 2009.
 At 10.3 percent, North Carolina’s unemployment rate is 0.6 percentage points higher than the United
States’ 9.7 percent rate.
 The number of people employed increased over the month by 0.4 percent to 4,094,595, while the number of
people unemployed fell 4.2 percent to 472,614.
 During May, North Carolina’s seasonally adjusted labor force participation rate decreased over the month
to 63.3 percent, and the U.S. rate edged down 0.2 of a percentage point to 65.0 percent.
Nonfarm Employment
 Seasonally adjusted Total Nonfarm employment gained 12,900 jobs over the month, while losing 3,300
since May 2009.
 Over the month, fi ve sectors experienced job growth: Government, 16,100; Professional & Business
Services, 1,600; Trade, Transportation & Utilities, 1,300; Information, 500; and Financial Activities, 200.
Losses were reported for the remaining sectors: Manufacturing, 2,900; Leisure & Hospitality Services,
2,700; Other Services, 500; Education & Health Services, 500; and Construction, 200.
 The major sectors to report over-the-year seasonally adjusted job increases were:
Government, 39,900; Professional & Business Services, 11,200; Education & Health Services, 8,000; and
Mining & Logging, 300.
 Not seasonally adjusted, four major sectors reported over-the-year job increases: Government, 36,200;
Professional & Business Services, 13,300; Education & Health Services, 7,900; and Mining & Logging,
300.
 Construction reported the largest over-the-year job loss at 19,500, followed by Manufacturing at 19,000.
This loss was seen in Computer & Electronic Product, 3,900; Furniture & Related Product, 3,600;
Textiles, 3,500; Wood Product, 3,300; Food, 2,600; Machinery, 2,500; Fabricated Metal Product, 2,400;
and Electrical Equipment, Appliance & Component, 2,100; Apparel, 1,400; Printing & Related Support
Activities, 1,100; Plastics & Rubber Products, 1,000; Chemical, 900; and Transportation Equipment, 900.
 Beverage & Tobacco Product, at 400, had the only increase among the leading manufacturing sectors.
 Food remains North Carolina’s leading sector in manufacturing employment with 49,800. Chemical follows
with 40,500.
Other Information
 Average Hourly Earnings in North Carolina for manufacturing production workers increased by 9 cents in
May to $16.12, while Average Weekly Hours gained 24 minutes to 40.7.
 North Carolina paid a total of $492.1 million in Unemployment Insurance benefi ts (all programs) to
claimants in May. These payments include state and federally funded benefi ts.
 The number of Initial Claims fi led in North Carolina for Unemployment Insurance benefi ts fell in May
to 56,007. Approximately $194.5 million was paid in regular UI benefi ts to 176,980 unemployed persons
across the state. The average weekly benefi t amount was $291.38, which does not include the $25 Federal
Additional Compensation (FAC) payment from The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
 The South Atlantic Region’s Total Compensation of $25.54 per hour worked is below the national average
of $27.73 per hour worked in the fi rst quarter of 2010. Regional Wages and Salaries comprised 72.0
percent of Total Compensation, 70.6 percent nationally.
 North Carolina’s Economic Indicators during April 2010 showed very weak growth in the Coincident
Indicators (0.4%) and mild growth in the Leading Indicators (1.2%).
June 10 NC Today i
i i June 10 NC Today
Table Of Contents
United States/North Carolina Labor Force Data, May 2010 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
United States/North Carolina Unemployment Rates, May 2007-May 2010 . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . 2
United States Labor Force, May 2009-May 2010 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
North Carolina Labor Force, May 2009-May 2010 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Number of North Carolina Unemployed by Reasons for Unemployment, May 2009-May 2010 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
North Carolina Unemployment Rate by Age Group, May 2009-May 2010 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Not in the North Carolina Labor Force Due to Discouragement or Other Reasons, May 2009-May 2010 . . . . . . . . 4
Unemployment Rates by State, April 2010 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
North Carolina Unemployment Rates by County, April 2010. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
North Carolina Industry Employment Statewide, May 2010. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
North Carolina Total Nonfarm Employment, January 1990-May 2010 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
North Carolina Industries, May 2007 Compared to May 2010. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
North Carolina Manufacturing, January 1990-May 2010. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Employment Change in North Carolina Manufacturing Industries, Comparison of May 2007, 2009 & 2010 . . . . . 11
Manufacturing Production Workers’ Hours and Earnings, May 2009-May 2010. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Total Nonfarm Employment Percent Change by State, April 2009-April 2010 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Percent Change in Total Nonfarm Employment by Metro, May 2009-May 2010 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Announced Business Closings and Permanent Layoffs, May 2010 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14-15
New Business Openings, May 2010 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . 15
Monthly Change in North Carolina Coincident and Leading Indexes, April 2010 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Comparison of Indexes and Their Components, January 2010 Compared to April 2010 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
North Carolina Counties With the Highest Initial Claims Activity, May 2010 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Compensation Per Hours Worked, South Atlantic Region/United States, 1st Qtr. 2010 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Glossary of Terms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
June 10 NC Today iii
Source: LAUS, LMI of ESC
P Preliminary; R Revised; B Benchmarked Note: May not sum due to rounding.
United States/North Carolina Labor Force Data
May 2010
1 June 10 NC Today
(Civilian Labor Force Estimates)
Month Ago Year Ago
MayP
2010
AprilR
2010
MayB
2009
Numeric
Change
Percent
Change
Numeric
Change
Percent
Change
North Carolina
Seasonally Adjusted
Labor Force 4,567,209 4,573,236 4,555,450 -6,027 -0.1 11,759 0.3
Employed 4,094,595 4,079,873 4,059,158 14,722 0.4 35,437 0.9
Unemployed 472,614 493,363 496,292 -20,749 -4.2 -23,678 -4.8
Unemployment Rate 10.3 10.8 10.9 -0.5 xxx -0.6 xxx
Not Seasonally Adjusted
Labor Force 4,547,316 4,549,897 4,564,157 -2,581 -0.1 -16,841 -0.4
Employed 4,096,669 4,090,171 4,068,912 6,498 0.2 27,757 0.7
Unemployed 450,647 459,726 495,245 -9,079 -2.0 -44,598 -9.0
Unemployment Rate 9.9 10.1 10.9 -0.2 xxx -1.0 xxx
(Civilian Labor Force Estimates)
Month Ago Year Ago
May
2010
April
2010
May
2009
Numeric
Change
Percent
Change
Numeric
Change
Percent
Change
United States
Seasonally Adjusted
Labor Force 154,393,000 154,715,000 154,956,000 -322,000 -0.2 -563,000 -0.4
Employed 139,420,000 139,455,000 140,438,000 -35,000 0.0 -1,018,000 -0.7
Unemployed 14,973,000 15,260,000 14,518,000 -287,000 -1.9 455,000 3.1
Unemployment Rate 9.7 9.9 9.4 -0.2 xxx 0.3 xxx
Not Seasonally Adjusted
Labor Force 153,866,000 153,911,000 154,336,000 -45,000 0.0 -470,000 -0.3
Employed 139,497,000 139,302,000 140,363,000 195,000 0.1 -866,000 -0.6
Unemployed 14,369,000 14,609,000 13,973,000 -240,000 -1.6 396,000 2.8
Unemployment Rate 9.3 9.5 9.1 -0.2 xxx 0.2 xxx
Seasonally adjusted, North Carolina’s civilian labor force declined slightly over the month as employment
increased 0.4 percent and unemployment decreased 4.2 percent. The unemployment rate declined 0.5 of a
percentage point to 10.3 percent.
There was a slight decrease in the United States’ civilian labor force from April to May. Employment remained
relatively unchanged while unemployed decreased 1.9 percent. The unemployment rate declined 0.2 of a
percentage point to 9.7 percent.
152,500
153,250
154,000
154,750
155,500
US
May 10
April 10
March 10
Feb. 10
Jan. 10
Dec. 09
Nov. 09
Oct. 09
Sept. 09
Aug. 09
July 09
June 09
May 09
(in thousands)
4,500
4,525
4,550
4,575
4,600
NC
May 10
April 10
March 10
Feb. 10
Jan. 10
Dec. 09
Nov. 09
Oct. 09
Sept. 09
Aug. 09
July 09
June 09
May 09
(in thousands)
June 10 NC Today 2
Source: LAUS, LMI of ESC; BLS
Note: North Carolina data: May 2010 data are preliminary, other 2010 data are revised, while all other data are benchmarked.
United States/north Carolina Unemployment Rates
May 2007-May 2010
(Seasonally Adjusted)
United States Labor Force
May 2009-May 2010
(Seasonally adjusted)
Source: LAUS, LMI of ESC; BLS
Note: North Carolina data: May 2010 data are preliminary, other 2010 data are revised, while 2009 data are benchmarked.
North Carolina Labor Force
May 2009-May 2010
(Seasonally adjusted)
0%
2%
4%
6%
8%
10%
12%
US NC
May 10
April 10
March 10
Feb. 10
Jan. 10
Dec. 09
Nov. 09
Oct. 09
Sept. 09
Aug. 09
July 09
June 09
May 09
0%
2%
4%
6%
8%
10%
12%
US NC
Dec. 08
May 08
Dec. 07
May 07
Recession
Beginning
North Carolina’s seasonally adjusted labor force participation rate declined 0.2 of a percentage point over the
month to 63.3 percent. The national rate mirrored North Carolina’s decrease with a rate of 65.0 percent.
Twelve-month averaged data from the Current Population Survey (CPS) collected from approximately 1,500
North Carolina households show that North Carolina’s 16-to-19-year-olds’ civilian labor force declined 2.2
percent over the month. Employment and unemployment decreased 1.8 percent and 3.3 percent, respectively.
Last year, the 16-to-19-year-olds experienced increases in the civilian labor force and employment while
unemployment decreased.
The 20-year-old & older’s civilian labor force and employment increased 0.2 percent and 0.3 percent,
respectively. Unemployment remained relatively unchanged.
0
20,000
40,000
60,000
80,000
100,000
120,000
140,000
160,000
180,000
200,000
220,000
240,000
260,000
280,000
Job Losers Job Leavers New Entrants Re-Entrants
May 10
April 10
March 10
Feb. 10
Jan. 10
Dec. 09
Nov. 09
Oct. 09
Sept. 09
Aug. 09
July 09
June 09
May 09
Number of North Carolina Unemployed by Reasons for Unemployment
May 2009-May 2010
(12-Month Moving Average)
Source: Labor Market Information Division (LMID), extracted from the North Carolina Current Population Survey (CPS).
Note: Data are not seasonally adjusted and may not add due to rounding. Estimates are derived from a 12-month moving average of elements of North Carolina’s portion of the CPS, a monthly survey
performed by the US Census Bureau (Census) for the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and encompassing approximately 1,500 rotating households within North Carolina. This data is provided to North
Carolina by BLS, but is not comparable to and does not take the place of offi cial BLS estimates published by the LMID.
3 June 10 NC Today
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
20+
Unemployment Rate
16-19
Unemployment Rate
May 10
April 10
March10
Feb.10
Jan. 10
Dec. 09
Nov. 09
Oct. 09
Sept. 09
Aug. 09
July 09
June 09
May 09
0
10,000
20,000
30,000
40,000
50,000
60,000
70,000
Not Currently Looking
(Other Reason)
Not Currently Looking
(Discouragement)
May 10
April 10
March 10
Feb. 10
Jan. 10
Dec. 09
Nov. 09
Oct. 09
Sept. 09
Aug. 09
July 09
June 09
May 09
(in thousands)
Source: Labor Market Information Division (LMID), extracted from the North Carolina Current Population Survey (CPS).
Source: Labor Market Information Division (LMID), extracted from the North Carolina Current Population Survey (CPS).
*Note: Data are not seasonally adjusted and may not add due to rounding. Estimates are derived from a 12-month moving average of elements of the CPS, a monthly survey performed by the US
Census Bureau (Census) for the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and encompassing approximately 1,500 rotating households within North Carolina. Data are provided to North Carolina by the BLS,
but is not comparable to and does not take the place of offi cial BLS estimates published by the LMID.
North Carolina Unemployment Rate by Age Group*
May 2009-May 2010
(12-Month Moving Average)
Not in the North Carolina Labor Force Due
to Discouragement or Other Reasons*
May 2009-May 2010
(Number of Persons, 12-Month Moving Average)
37,317
31,267
The averaged CPS data also shows that the percentage of individuals not in the labor force rose slightly from
April 2010. Those not looking for work because of discouragement over job prospects increased 3.9 percent,
while those not looking for other reasons decreased 0.8 percent. Job losers grew 0.4 percent while job leavers
declined 2.3 percent.
June 10 NC Today 4
There was little change to the states’ unemployment rates during April 2010. Thirty-four states and the District of Columbia recorded unemployment rate
decreases, six increased and 10 states refl ected no change as reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Michigan continues to have the highest
unemployment rate among the states at 14.0 percent. Nevada (13.7%), California (12.6%), and Rhode Island (12.5%) reported the next highest rates. North
Dakota continues to have the lowest unemployment rate of 3.8 percent, followed by South Dakota and Nebraska, 4.7 percent and 5.0 percent, respectively.
All of North Carolina’s neighboring states experienced an unemployment rate decrease. South Carolina dropped 0.6 of a percentage point to 11.6 percent,
while Georgia (10.4%), Tennessee (10.5%), and Virginia (7.2%) all declined 0.1 of a percentage point.
5 June 10 NC Today
Prepared by the Labor Market Information Division, Employment Security Commission of North Carolina 6_10
MI
Note: States April 2010 data are preliminary.
NY
8.4 6.7
12.5
11.0
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
8.3
7.1
9.5 8.7
12.6
8.0
7.1
7.3
9.1 7.2
6.5
13.7
5.0
4.7
3.8
6.6
9.4
10.6
9.2
6.9
8.5
7.8
8.4
6.7
9.0
10.4
11.2
12.0
7.2
11.0
11.5
10.8
8.1
10.5
14.0
10.9
10.6
10.0
9.2
11.6
7.5
6.4
6.7
9.2
9.8
9.0
9.0
AK
HI
Unemployment Rates By State, Seasonally Adjusted
April 2010
U.S. Rate = 9.9%
11.7% to 14.0%
9.9% to 11.6%
7.9% to 9.8%
5.1% to 7.8%
3.8% to 5.0%
Over the month, not seasonally adjusted unemployment rates decreased in 99 counties while one, Wilson County, had a slight rate increase from
March to April 2010. Scotland County reported the highest unemployment rate of 15.8 percent, while Currituck County had the lowest at 5.8 percent.
All 14 Metropolitan Statistical Areas experienced rate decreases.
June 10 NC Today 6
Cherokee
Graham
Clay
Macon
Swain
Jackson
Haywood
Transyl-vania
Madison
Buncombe
Hender-son
Polk
Yancey
Mitchell
McDowell
Rutherford
Cleveland
Burke
Caldwell
Avery
Watauga
Ashe
Alleghany
Wilkes
Alex-ander
Catawba
Lincoln
Gaston
Meck-lenburg
Iredell
Surry
Yadkin
Davie
Rowan
Cabarrus
Union
Stanly
Davidson
Forsyth
Stokes
Rockingham
Guilford
Randolph
Mont-gomery
Anson
Rich-mond
Scot-land
Moore
Chatham
Lee
Ala-mance
Orange
Caswell Person Gran-ville
Vance
Durham
Wake
Harnett
Hoke
Robeson
Columbus
Bladen
Cumberland
Sampson
Johnston
Franklin
Warren
Halifax
Northampton
Nash
Wilson
Wayne
Duplin
Pender
Brunswick
New
Hanover
Onslow
Jones
Lenoir
Greene
Edge-combe
Hertford
Gates
Bertie
Martin
Pitt
Craven
Carteret
Pamlico
Beaufort Hyde
Tyrrell
Wash-ington
Camden
Currituck
Chowan
Pasquotank
Perquimans
Dare
<
8.3
8.0
7.5
8.5
9.2
9.7
8.1
8.0
7.1
9.2
11.7
11.5
10.7
8.2
8.6
9.5
11.4
9.7
10.3
10.6
10.5
8.6
9.4
12.8
12.5
10.2
8.6
10.4
9.2 11.9
10.5
9.2
13.0
12.1
15.2
5.9
11.9
11.3 10.1
8.0
12.0
11.9
13.8
10.0
10.3 8.9
11.9
13.3
14.8
8.6
10.0
9.4
7.1
12.9
14.5
10.5
13.2
13.6
10.0
10.1 11.9
11.0
12.6
11.6
11.3
10.7
7.6
5.8
11.7
7.4
12.8
10.6
10.7
9.3
11.9
10.7
9.2
10.7
9.2
12.4
12.1
10.5
10.4
9.2
10.1
8.4
9.7
11.2
12.2
7.3
9.1
8.4
15.8
14.1
12.7
12.3
10.6
10.8
10.4
10.0
North Carolina Rate 10.0%
Not Seasonally Adjusted
North Carolina Unemployment Rates by County
April 2010
^
^
=
1 County Higher Than Previous Month
99 Counties Lower Than Previous Month
0 County Same as Previous Month
April 2010
5.8% to 8.2%
8.3% to 9.7%
9.8% to 11.3%
11.4% to 13.3%
13.4% to 15.8% Note: April 2010 data are preliminary.
Prepared by the Labor Market Information Division, Employment Security Commission of North Carolina 5_2010
7 June 10 NC Today
Total Employment Net & Percent Change
NAICS Industry MayP
2010
AprilR
2010
MayB
2009
From April
2010
From May
2009
Net Percent Net Percent
Total Nonfarm 3,917.6 3,904.7 3,920.9 12.9 0.3% -3.3 -0.1%
Mining & Logging 6.2 6.2 5.9 0.0 0.0% 0.3 5.1%
Construction 171.9 172.1 194.5 -0.2 -0.1% -22.6 -11.6%
Manufacturing 429.0 431.9 450.6 -2.9 -0.7% -21.6 -4.8%
Durable Goods 218.4 220.2 233.3 -1.8 -0.8% -14.9 -6.4%
Nondurable Goods 210.6 211.7 217.3 -1.1 -0.5% -6.7 -3.1%
Trade, Transp. & Utilities 713.2 711.9 722.3 1.3 0.2% -9.1 -1.3%
Wholesale Trade 162.2 163.8 166.9 -1.6 -1.0% -4.7 -2.8%
Retail Trade 436.8 434.9 438.7 1.9 0.4% -1.9 -0.4%
Transportation, Warehousing & Utilities 114.2 113.2 116.7 1.0 0.9% -2.5 -2.1%
Information 69.3 68.8 70.2 0.5 0.7% -0.9 -1.3%
Financial Activities 198.6 198.4 202.2 0.2 0.1% -3.6 -1.8%
Finance & Insurance 148.1 148.6 153.1 -0.5 -0.3% -5.0 -3.3%
Real Estate, Rental & Leasing 50.5 49.8 49.1 0.7 1.4% 1.4 2.9%
Professional & Business Services 472.0 470.4 460.8 1.6 0.3% 11.2 2.4%
Professional, Scientifi c & Technical Services 173.1 171.9 177.6 1.2 0.7% -4.5 -2.5%
Mgmt. of Companies & Enterprises 72.0 72.5 72.6 -0.5 -0.7% -0.6 -0.8%
Admin. & Support & Waste Mgmt. 226.9 226.0 210.6 0.9 0.4% 16.3 7.7%
Education & Health Services 549.7 550.2 541.7 -0.5 -0.1% 8.0 1.5%
Educational Services 85.0 83.8 79.5 1.2 1.4% 5.5 6.9%
Health Care & Social Assistance 464.7 466.4 462.2 -1.7 -0.4% 2.5 0.5%
Leisure & Hospitality Services 391.7 394.4 394.8 -2.7 -0.7% -3.1 -0.8%
Arts, Entertainment & Recreation 52.3 53.5 57.3 -1.2 -2.2% -5.0 -8.7%
Accommodation & Food Services 339.4 340.9 337.5 -1.5 -0.4% 1.9 0.6%
Other Services 163.0 163.5 164.8 -0.5 -0.3% -1.8 -1.1%
Government 753.0 736.9 713.1 16.1 2.2% 39.9 5.6%
Federal 85.2 72.4 68.8 12.8 17.7% 16.4 23.8%
State 206.0 204.4 199.4 1.6 0.8% 6.6 3.3%
Local 461.8 460.1 444.9 1.7 0.4% 16.9 3.8%
Source: CES, LMI of ESC
P Preliminary; R Revised; B Benchmarked
North Carolina Industry Employment Statewide
May 2010
(Seasonally Adjusted, in Thousands)
June 10 NC Today 8
2,500
3,000
3,500
4,000
4,500
Total Nonfarm
Jan. 10
Jan. 09
Jan. 08
Jan. 07
Jan. 06
Jan. 05
Jan. 04
Jan. 03
Jan. 02
Jan. 01
Jan. 00
Jan. 99
Jan. 98
Jan. 97
Jan. 96
Jan. 95
Jan. 94
Jan. 93
Jan. 92
Jan. 91
Jan. 90
1990-1991 Recession 2001 Recession 2007 Recession
North Carolina Total Nonfarm Employment
January 1990-May 2010
(Seasonally Adjusted)
Seasonally adjusted Total Nonfarm employment in North Carolina rose 12,900 (0.3%) jobs over the month, but
decreased by 3,300 (0.1%) jobs over the year. The United States gained 431,000 (0.3%) Total Nonfarm jobs over
the month, but lost 585,000 (0.4%) over the year.
Among North Carolina’s industries, Government had the largest net (16,100) over-the-month increase.
Manufacturing (2,900) and Leisure & Hospitality (2,700) had the largest net over-the-month decreases.
The Service Providing sector, which includes all industries except Goods Producing (Mining & Logging,
Construction, and Manufacturing), increased 40,600 jobs over the year. Goods Producing dropped 43,900 jobs over
the year.
Since the beginning of the 2007 national recession (December 2007), North Carolina has lost 251,900 (6.0%) Total
Nonfarm jobs. Nationally, Total Nonfarm employment decreased 5.4 percent from December 2007 to May 2010.
Industries with job losses since the beginning of the December 2007 recession are:
• Manufacturing, 103,400 (19.4%)
• Construction, 79,800 (31.7%)
• Trade, Transportation & Utilities, 66,900 (8.6%)
• Professional & Business Services, 34,600 (6.8%)
• Financial Activities, 13,600 (6.4%)
• Leisure & Hospitality, 13,400 (3.3%)
• Other Services, 12,500 (7.1%)
• Information, 2,900 (4.0%)
• Mining & Logging, 700 (10.1%)
The only industries with job gains since the beginning of the December 2007 recession are:
• Government, 59,000 (8.5%)
• Education & Health Services, 16,900 (3.2%)
(in thousands)
May 2010: 3,917,600
July 1990: 3,120,800
March 2001: 3,931,300 December 2007: 4,169,500
Source: CES, LMI of ESC
Note: May 2010 data are preliminary, all other 2010 data are revised, while all other data are benchmarked.
Recession periods documented in above graph represent the dates July 1990-March 1991, March 2001-November 2001 and December 2007 to present.
9 June 10 NC Today
North Carolina Industries
May 2007 Compared to May 2010
(Seasonally Adjusted)
Source: CES, LMI of ESC
Note: 2010 data are preliminary, while 2007 data are benchmarked. Percentages may not sum due to rounding.
2007
Total Nonfarm: 4,140,000
2010
Total Nonfarm: 3,917,600
North Carolina’s seasonally adjusted Total Nonfarm employment has decreased by 222,400 (-5.4%) since May
2007. Government is currently the largest sector in North Carolina with 19.2 percent of total jobs, followed by
Trade, Transportation & Utilities with 18.2 percent.
The state’s industry composition has changed since May 2007 as it continues to shift from a manufacturing to a
service economy.
• Manufacturing dropped from 13.0 percent to 11.0 percent of Total Nonfarm employment.
• Construction fell from 6.2 percent to 4.4 percent.
• Government increased from 16.6 percent to 19.2 percent.
• Education & Health Services grew from 12.6 percent to 14.0 percent
• Trade, Transportation & Utilities decreased from 18.8 percent to 18.2 percent.
• Leisure & Hospitality increased from 9.6 percent to 10.0 percent.
• Professional & Business Services decreased slightly from 12.1 percent to 12.0 percent.
• Other Services increased from 4.1 percent to 4.2 percent.
• Financial Activities, Information, and Mining & Logging refl ected no percentage change.
Mining
& Logging
0.2%
Government
16.6%
Other Services
4.1%
Leisure & Hospitality
9.6%
Education
& Health Services
12.6%
Professional
& Business Services
12.1%
Financial
Activities
5.1%
Information
1.8%
Trade, Transportation
& Utilities
18.8%
Manufacturing
13.0%
Construction
6.2%
Mining &
Logging
0.2%
Government
19.2%
Other Services
4.2%
Leisure & Hospitality
10.0%
Education
& Health Services
14.0%
Professional
& Business Services
12.0%
Financial
Activities
5.1%
Information
1.8%
Trade, Transportation
& Utilities
Manufacturing 18.2%
11.0%
Construction
4.4%
June 10 NC Today 10
400
600
800
1,000
Manufacturing
Jan. 10
Jan. 09
Jan. 08
Jan. 07
Jan. 06
Jan. 05
Jan. 04
Jan. 03
Jan. 02
Jan. 01
Jan. 00
Jan. 99
Jan. 98
Jan. 97
Jan. 96
Jan. 95
Jan. 94
Jan. 93
Jan. 92
Jan. 91
Jan. 90
1990-1991 Recession 2001 Recession 2007 Recession
Since the beginning of the 2007 national recession (December 2007), North Carolina has lost 103,400 (19.4%)
manufacturing jobs. Of those, 65.8 percent were in Durable Goods and 34.2 percent in Nondurable Goods.
The United States has lost 15.1 percent of its manufacturing jobs since the December 2007 recession — 74.2
percent in Durable Goods and 25.8 percent, Nondurable Goods.
Not seasonally adjusted, Food was the industry with the largest number of manufacturing jobs (49,800) in North
Carolina in May 2010, followed by Chemical Manufacturing (40,500) and Textile & Textile Product Mills (32,900).
Beverage & Tobacco (400) had the only increase over the year among the not seasonally adjusted leading
manufacturing sectors.
The eight largest net over-the-year manufacturing declines were:
• Computer & Electronic Product, 3,900 (10.7%)
• Furniture & Related Product, 3,600 (10.2%)
• Textile Mills & Textile Product Mills, 3,500 (9.6%)
• Wood Product, 3,300 (19.9%)
• Food, 2,600 (5.0%)
• Machinery, 2,500 (9.3%)
• Fabricated Metal, 2,400 (7.1%)
• Electrical Equipment, Appliance, & Component, 2,100 (9.5%)
Those manufacturing industries with smaller losses were:
• Apparel, 1,400 (11.3%)
• Printing & Related Support Activities, 1,100 (8.5%)
• Plastics & Rubber, 1,000 (3.5%)
• Chemical, 900 (2.2%)
• Transportation Equipment, 900 (3.5%)
(in thousands)
North Carolina Manufacturing
January 1990-May 2010
(Seasonally adjusted)
Source: CES, LMI of ESC
Note: May 2010 data are preliminary, all other 2010 data are revised, while all other data are benchmarked.
Recession periods documented in above graph represent the dates July 1990-March 1991, March 2001-November 2001 and December 2007 to present.
July 1990: 822,200
March 2001: 727,800
December 2007: 532,400
May 2010: 429,000
Source: CES, LMI of ESC Note: May 2010 data are preliminary, all other data are revised. Data are not adjusted for infl ation, or seasonality and refer to production workers
only. Manufacturing Hours and Earnings are based on gross payrolls and corresponding paid hours and include overtime, shift premiums, vacation and holiday pay, and other
leave payments made directly by the employer to employees for the pay period reported. The data excludes bonuses, commissions and lump-sum payments unless earned
and paid regularly during each pay period. Hours relate to the hours for which pay was received and does include
overtime.
11 June 10 NC Today
Over the month, Manufacturing production workers’ Average Hourly Earnings increased $0.09. Average Weekly
Earnings rose $10.07 and Average Weekly Hours increased 0.4 (24 minutes).
Durable Goods’ Average Hourly Earnings increased $0.08 over the month. Average Weekly Earnings rose $6.49,
and Average Weekly Hours increased 0.2 (12 minutes).
Over the month, Nondurable Goods’ Average Hourly Earnings increased $0.09. Average Weekly Earnings rose
$9.96, and Average Weekly Hours increased 0.4 (24 minutes).
Manufacturing Production Hours and Earnings
May 2009-May 2010
(Not Seasonally adjusted)
Average Weekly
Hours
Average Hourly
Earnings
Average Weekly
Earnings
May 2010 40.7 $16.12 $656.08
April 2010 40.3 $16.03 $646.01
March 2010 40.0 $15.94 $637.60
February 2010 39.6 $16.00 $633.60
January 2010 40.0 $16.00 $640.00
December 2009 40.1 $15.88 $636.79
November 2009 39.4 $15.95 $628.43
October 2009 39.1 $15.95 $623.65
September 2009 38.9 $16.03 $623.57
August 2009 39.0 $15.92 $620.88
July 2009 38.7 $15.90 $615.33
June 2009 39.2 $15.76 $617.79
May 2009 38.6 $15.66 $604.48
Employment Change in North Carolina Manufacturing Industries
Comparison of May 2007, May 2009 & May 2010
(Not seasonally adjusted)
Source: CES, LMI of ESC
Note: 2010 data are preliminary, while 2007 & 2009 data are benchmarked. *Textiles is comprised of Textile Mills and Textile Product Mills.
(in thousands)
0
20
40
60
80
May 2007 May 2009 May 2010
Plastics & Rubber
Chemical
Printing
Apparel Mfg.
*Textiles
Beverages & Tobacco Product
Food
Furniture & Related Product
Transportation Equipment
Electrical Equipment & Appliances
Computers & Electronic Product
Machinery
Fabricated Metal Product
Wood Product
June 10 NC Today 12
Prepared by the Labor Market Information Division, Employment Security Commission of North Carolina 6_10
Note: April 2010 data are preliminary, while April 2009 data are benchmarked.
VT
1.0 -0.8 HI
-2.7
1.4
TX
CA
MT
AZ
ID
NV
NM
CO
IL
OR
UT
KS
WY
IA
NE
SD
MN
ND
FL
OK
WI
MO
AL
WA
GA
AR
LA
MI
IN
PA
NC
NY
MS
TN
VA
KY
OH
SC
ME
WV
NH
NJ
MA
CT
MD
DE
RI
DC
-0.4
-2.5
-1.2
-2.0
-1.8
-3.5
-2.6
-2.4
-1.8
1.6
-0.8
-1.2
-1.5
-1.6
-0.6
-0.3
-1.7
-0.9
-1.7
-2.4
-1.6
-1.6
-0.8
-1.4
-1.2
-1.8
-0.9
-1.5
-0.5
-1.1
-0.5
-1.0
-1.9
-1.4
-0.3
-0.5
-0.1
-2.2
-0.6
-1.2
-0.7
-1.3
-0.5
-0.8
-1.2
-0.9
-1.2
Total Nonfarm Employment Percent Change By State,
Seasonally Adjusted, April 2009-April 2010
Percent Change
-3.5% to -2.4%
-2.3% to -1.5%
-1.4% to -0.9%
-0.8% to -0.1%
0.0% to 1.6%
AK
Pitt
Wake
Hyde
Duplin
Bladen
Bertie
Pender
Wilkes
Beaufort
Moore
Onslow
Union
Halifax
Craven
Robeson
Nash
Surry
Sampson
Iredell
Columbus
Swain
Burke
Carteret
Johnston
Brunswick
Ashe
Guilford
Anson
Randolph
Harnett Wayne
Jones
Chatham
Macon
Rowan
Hoke
Martin Tyrrell Dare
Lee
Stokes
Stanly
Lenoir
Franklin
Warren
Buncombe
Granville
Davidson
Jackson
Haywood
Gates
Person
Caldwell
Wilson
Forsyth
Caswell
Polk
Orange
Cumberland
Madison
Rutherford
Pamlico
Yadkin
Gaston
Clay
Cherokee
Cleveland
Catawba
Davie
Rockingham
McDowell
Vance Hertford
Avery
Lincoln
Yancey
Northampton
Edgecombe
Graham Cabarrus
Greene
Watauga
Washington
Alleghany
Rich
mond
Alamance
Meck
lenburg
Mont
gomery
Durham
Scotland
Currituck
Hender
son
Camden
Transyl
vania
Mitchell
Alexander
Chowan
Per
quimans
Pasquotank
New
Hanover
Percent Change in Total Nonfarm Employment by Metro
Not Seasonally Adjusted, May 2009-May 2010
-1.0% to -2.0%
-0.1% to -0.9%
0.0% to 2.9%
Asheville
Metro
Goldsboro
Metro
Charlotte/Gastonia/
Rock Hill NC-SC
Durham/Chapel Hill
Metro
Fayetteville
Metro
Burlington
Metro
Greensboro-
High Point
Metro
Greenville
Metro
Hickory/Lenoir/
Morganton Metro
Jacksonville
Metro
Wilmington
Metro
Raleigh/Cary
Metro
Rocky Mount
Metro
Winston-Salem
Metro
-1.9
0.2
-2.3
-0.6 -0.8
3.3
-1.8
0.5
-0.6
-3.1
-0.2
-0.3
-0.4
-1.1
Prepared by the Labor Market Information Division, Employment Security Commission of North Carolina 6_2010
Note: May 2009 data are benchmarked, while May 2010 data are preliminary.
-2.1% to -3.1%
3.0% to 3.3%
13 June 10 NC Today
June 10 NC Today 14
County Company Product Individuals Affected* Reason Closing/Layoff
Buncombe
Saint-Gobain Abrasives Abrasives Manufacturing 39 Production to S.C. Closed
Western N.C. Community Health Health Services 11 Budget Cuts Layoff
Craven
Hollywood Video Video Rentals 10 Bankruptcy Closing
Cumberland
Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. Tire Manufacturing 70 Production Cut Layoff
Rockola Grille Restaurant 38 Property Redevelopment Closing
Davidson
Foam-Tech Inc. Polyurethane Components 25 Financial Diffi culty Closing
Durham
Pfi zer Inc. Chemicals 50 Restructuring Layoff
Fuddruckers Restaurant 21 Not Stated Closing
Forsyth
Goober’s 52 Restaurant 24 Not Stated Closing
Hero House Restaurant 16 Not Stated Closing
Franklin
Murphy House Restaurant 29 Economic Conditions Closing
Guilford
Gate City Chop House Restaurant 50 Not Stated Closing
Dixon Hughes PLLC Accounting Firm 26 Consolidation/High Point Closing
Grant Thornton CPA Firm 30
Relocation/Charlotte/
Raleigh
Closing
Halifax
Safelite Auto Glass Auto Glass 46
Dist. Center Relocation/
GA
Closing
Jackson
Stonewall Packaging LLC Cardboard Manufacturing 43 Lost Contract Closing
Lee
Pfi zer Inc. Pharmaceuticals 400 Acquisition Layoff
Mecklenburg
Cooper Wiring Devices Wiring Devices 82
Product Storage to
Memphis
Closing
Comco Signs Inc. Sign Manufacturing 22 Bankruptcy Closing
Reid’s Fine Foods Grocery Store 34 Slow Sales/ Economy Closing
Las Ramblas Restaurant 21 Property Redevelopment Closing
Town of Davidson Inc. Town Government 19 Restructuring Layoff
New Hanover
New Liverpool Deli Restaurant 10 Property Sold Closing
Onslow
Hollywood Video Video Rentals 14 Bankruptcty Closing
Pasquotank
Outer Banks Harley-Davidson Motorcycle Sales 23 Merger Closing
Randolph
Movie Gallery Video Rentals 10 Bankruptcy Closing
Rowan
Uti Integrated Logistics Inc. Logistics, Warehousing 53 Lost Contract/Invista Layoff
1The data available are derived from a statewide survey of newspaper accounts of closings and layoffs, and from information supplied to the Employment Security Commission
of North Carolina (ESC) by the employing units experiencing layoffs. The data are not all inclusive and do not meet Labor Market Information Division standards for accuracy.
ESC staff members do not analyze or evaluate the accuracy of these reports. * ‘Individuals Affected’ represents numbers reported by media sources only. Actual numbers may
differ. The table shows only closings where individuals ‘Affected’ are stated as 10 or more. For more information, visit http://eslmi23.esc.state.nc.nc.us/masslayoff/
Announced Business Closings and Permanent Layoffs1 May 2010
15 June 10 NC Today
County Company Product Possible Job
Openings City Estimated
Opening Date
Burke
VSA Recycled Automotive Parts 98 Morganton 1/1/2012
Caldwell
Advanced Textile Solutions Inc. Military Apparel 127 Saw Mills 1/1/2013
Cleveland
Telerx Customer Service 60 Kings Mountain 5/28/2010
Craven
Ribeyes Steakhouse Restaurant 25 New Bern 6/30/2010
Durham
IEM Management Firm 41 Research
Triangle Park 12/31/2010
Guilford
Bin 33 Restaurant 50 Greensboro 7/1/2010
Moses Cone Health System Hospital 25 Greensboro 5/17/2010
Lee
Frontier Spinning Mills Yarn Maker 45 Sanford 1/1/2011
McDowell
Bojangles Fast Food Restaurant 60 Marion 6/10/2010
Mecklenburg
Convergys Corp. Customer Service 200 Charlotte 7/1/2010
Citco Fund Services Financial Services 258 Charlotte 12/31/2014
Morgan Stanley & Co. Financial Services 50 Charlotte 10/1/2010
Hewitt Associates Human Resource Services 463 Charlotte 1/1/2013
Rockingham
WhiteRidge Plastics LLC Custom Molded Plastic Parts 55 Reidsville 1/1/2013
Wake
John Deere & Co. Agricultural Equipment Maker 90 Cary 9/1/2010
TearScience Medical Device Company 15 Morrisville 12/31/2010
Embassy Suites Hotel 80 Raleigh 6/4/2010
Cafe’ Caturra Restaurant 40 Raleigh 5/24/2010
New Business Openings1 May 2010
1The data shown are derived from a statewide survey of newspaper accounts of business openings, and from information supplied to the Employment Security Commission of
North Carolina (ESC) by the employing units. Data are not all inclusive and ESC staff do not analyze or evaluate the accuracy of these reports.
Announced Business Closings and Permanent Layoffs1 May 2010 - Continued
County Company Product Individuals Affected* Reason Closing/Layoff
Wake
Buckhead Saloon Bar 19 Not Stated Closing
Camille’s Sidewalk Cafe’ (Brier Creek) Restaurant 22 Bankruptcy Closing
Golden Corral (Glenwood) Restaurant 60 Demolition/Rebuild Closing
Fuddruckers Restaurant 19 Not Stated Closing
Panopolie Craft Store 11 Consolidation/Ornamentea Closing
Icarus Studios Video Games 75 Restructuring Layoff
ZeeCRO Clinical Research 29 Not Stated Closing
1The data available are derived from a statewide survey of newspaper accounts of closings and layoffs, and from information supplied to the Employment Security Commission
of North Carolina (ESC) by the employing units experiencing layoffs. The data are not all inclusive and do not meet Labor Market Information Division standards for accuracy.
ESC staff members do not analyze or evaluate the accuracy of these reports. * ‘Individuals Affected’ represents numbers reported by media sources only. Actual numbers may
differ. The table shows only closings where individuals ‘Affected’ are stated as 10 or more. For more information, visit http://eslmi23.esc.state.nc.nc.us/masslayoff/
June 10 NC Today 16
Growth Growth Growth
Mild Moderate Strong
Strong Moderate Mild
Decline Decline Decline
Very Weak
decline / growth
+1.2% +2.5%
+1.5%
-0.5% +0.5%
-1.5%
-2.5%
Growth Growth Growth
Mild Moderate Strong
Strong Moderate Mild
Decline Decline Decline
Very Weak
decline / growth
+0.4% +2.5%
+1.5%
-0.5% +0.5%
-1.5%
-2.5%
The state’s Coincident Index showed an increase of 0.5 percent between March and April 2010. Five components of
the Coincident Index improved from the previous month — Richmond Manufacturing Index increased by 400
percent, from 6.0 to 30.0; NC Average Hours Worked in Manufacturing grew by 1.0 percent; NC Unemployment
Rate decreased by 0.3 percentage point (inverse effect); number of jobs in the Nonagricultural sector rose by 0.3
percent; and CPI South decreased by 0.1 percent (inverse effect). The only component of the Coincident Index to
report a negative change from the previous month was NC Taxable Retail Sales, which decreased by 1.8 percent. The
six-month percentage change for the Coincident Index reported very weak growth.
Leading Index
Mild Growth
Coincident Index
Very Weak Growth
Change in North Carolina
Coincident and Leading Indexes
April 2010
(Seasonally adjusted)
Source: LMI of ESC; Coincident Index percent is fi gured by taking the percent change of October 2009 (95.6) to
April 2010 (96.0). Leading Index percent is fi gured by taking the percent change of October 2009 (96.4) to
April 2010 (97.6).
17 June 10 NC Today
The state’s Leading Index between March and April 2010 increased by 0.5 percent. Six of seven components of the
Leading index had positive contributions to the index: Initial Claims dropped by 15.8 percent (inverse effect); New
Orders for Nondefense Capital Goods increased by 9.2 percent; New Orders for Total Capital Goods grew by 7.4
percent; Average Hours Worked in Manufacturing increased by 1.0 percent; the Coincident Index rose by 0.5
percent; and NC-Based Companies’ Average Stock Price grew by 0.2 percent. The only component of the
Leading Index that reported a negative change from the previous month was Applications for Building Permits,
which declined by 9.1 percent. The six-month percentage change for the Leading Index reported mild growth for the
last three months.
April 2010 March 2010 Difference* Percent
Change
Coincident Index
Composite (2000=100) 96.0 95.5 0.5 0.5
CPI (South US) 211.5 211.8 -0.3 -0.1
Richmond Manufacturing Index 30.0 6.0 24.0 400.0
NC Unemployment Rate 10.8% 11.1% -0.3 -
NC Taxable Retail Sales (in millions) 7,826.7 7,970.3 -143.6 -1.8
NC Nonagricultural Employment (in thousands) 3,904.7 3,894.5 10.2 0.3
NC Average Hours Worked in Manufacturing
(Production Only)
40.6 40.2 0.4 1.0
Six Months Percentage Change
October 2009 (95.6) to April 2010 (96.0)
0.4 (Very Weak Growth)
April 2010 March 2010 Difference* Percent
Change
Leading Index
Composite (2000=100) 97.6 97.1 0.5 0.5
NC-Based Companies’ Average Stock Price 41.6 41.5 0.1 0.2
NC UI Initial Claims 66,109 78,520 -12,411 -15.8
US New Orders for Nondefense Capital Goods (in millions) 66,075 60,530 5,545 9.2
NC Building Permits 3,065 3,371 -306 -9.1
Coincident Index 96.0 95.5 0.5 0.5
US New Orders for Total Capital Goods (in millions) 76,813 71,501 5,312 7.4
Six Months Percentage Change
October 2009 (96.4) to April 2010 (97.6)
1.2 (Mild Growth)
Comparison of Indexes and their components
(Seasonally adjusted)
Note: Data has been seasonally adjusted.
*Except where indicated, monthly values have been rounded to the tenth and differences, as well as percentage changes, are based on actual values.
June 10 NC Today 18
The NC Employment Security Commission (ESC) paid $492,117,034 in Unemployment Insurance (UI) Benefi ts to
unemployed claimants across North Carolina during May 2010. These payments include state and federally funded
benefi ts.
The state of North Carolina paid $194,535,924 in regular UI benefi ts to 176,980 individuals during the month, a decrease
of 13,331 claimants since April 2010. The average UI weekly benefi t amount was $291.38 (maximum weekly benefi t is
$505).
Regular UI Initial Claims fi led during May 2010 totaled 56,007. This compares to 59,971 during April 2010. Of these
claims, 23,836 or 43 percent remained attached to the employer’s payroll.
Approximately 58 percent of regular UI Initial Claims fi led during May 2010 were New Initial Claims — a decrease of
2,853 from the prior month. Attached claims accounted for approximately 16 percent.
Five of the state’s counties — Mecklenburg, Wake, Guilford, Catawba and Forsyth — accounted for 26 percent of regular
UI Initial Claims fi led. Five of the state’s counties — Mecklenburg, Wake, Guilford, Forsyth and Gaston — accounted for
31 percent of regular UI benefi ts received during the period.
During May 2010, the NC UI Trust and State Reserve Funds collected $322,497,632 in UI taxes and reported no interest.
The UI Trust Fund ending May 2010 had a negative balance of $2.2 billion, with a State Reserve balance of $81.6 million.
For May 2010, the UI Trust Fund had a federal loan balance of $2.2 billion.
During May 2010, 22,860 Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC08) Initial Claims were fi led, of which 22,484
were New Claims. During the same period, 414,581 weeks were compensated for EUC08 benefi ts; 186,683 weeks for
EUC II benefi ts; 143,327 weeks for EUC III, and 72,327 weeks for EUC IV. EUC Initial Claims are not included in the UI
Regular Initial Claims counts.
A total of $124,298,822 was paid in EUC08 benefi ts, $52,842,763 was paid in EUC II benefi ts, $38,549,289 was paid in
EUC III benefi ts, and $17,912,248 was paid in EUC IV benefi ts. These benefi ts were paid through federal dollars.
During May 2010, 6,917 Extended Benefi ts (EB) Initial Claims were fi led, of which 6,817 were New Claims. During the
same period, 84,052 weeks were compensated for EB benefi ts. EB Initial Claims are not included in the UI Regular Initial
Claims.
During May 2010, $21,222,863 was paid in total EB benefi ts. EB benefi ts are paid through state, federal, and stimulus
recovery funding sources.
During May 2010, $549,774 was paid in Unemployment Compensation for Federal Employees (UCFE) benefi ts,
$4,321,119 in Unemployment Compensation for Ex-Service Members (UCX) benefi ts, and $37,884,232 in Federal
Additional Compensation (FAC) benefi ts.
Source: ES-UI, LMI of ESC Note: ‘Initial Claims’ represent transactions and not individuals. *Does not include Extended Benefi ts.
North Carolina Counties
with the Highest Initial Claims Activity
May 2010
Transactions Individuals
County Initial
Claims
Attached
To Payroll Female African-
American White 45 Years
and Older
Regular UI
Benefi ts*
MECKLENBURG 4,569 988 2,021 2,105 1,677 1,485 $21,792,355
WAKE 3,424 737 1,504 1,299 1,556 1,185 $17,220,721
GUILFORD 2,968 1,288 1,247 1,417 1,086 1,102 $10,610,864
CATAWBA 1,868 1,284 743 163 1,319 878 $4,090,811
FORSYTH 1,862 698 787 686 763 690 $6,646,004
DAVIDSON 1,514 916 499 176 989 632 $3,530,608
RANDOLPH 1,506 1,095 470 87 941 576 $2,916,531
GASTON 1,457 651 532 252 1,014 533 $4,873,920
CUMBERLAND 1,381 248 683 771 409 434 $3,723,457
DURHAM 1,230 384 559 729 264 390 $4,417,286
South Atlantic United States
Cost Percent Cost Percent
Total Compensation $25.54 100.0% $27.73 100.0%
Wages and Salaries $18.38 72.0% $19.58 70.6%
Total Benefi ts $7.16 28.0% $8.15 29.4%
Paid Leave $1.70 6.6% $1.88 6.8%
Vacation $0.85 3.3% $0.96 3.5%
Holiday $0.55 2.1% $0.60 2.2%
Sick $0.21 0.8% $0.23 0.8%
Personal $0.08 0.3% $0.09 0.3%
Supplemental Pay $0.63 2.5% $0.81 2.9%
Overtime and Premium1 $0.24 0.9% $0.26 0.9%
Shift Differentials $0.07 0.3% $0.07 0.2%
Nonproduction Bonuses $0.32 1.2% $0.48 1.7%
Insurance $1.96 7.7% $2.22 8.0%
Life $0.04 0.2% $0.04 0.2%
Health $1.83 7.2% $2.08 7.5%
Short-Term Disability $0.05 0.2% $0.05 0.2%
Long-Term Disability $0.04 0.2% $0.04 0.2%
Retirement and Savings $0.83 3.2% $0.96 3.5%
Defi ned Benefi ts $0.30 1.2% $0.41 1.5%
Defi ned Contribution $0.53 2.1% $0.55 2.0%
Legally Required Benefi ts $2.05 8.0% $2.28 8.2%
Social Security and Medicare $1.54 6.0% $1.64 5.9%
Social Security2 $1.24 4.9% $1.32 4.8%
Medicare $0.30 1.2% $0.32 1.2%
Federal Unemployment Insurance $0.03 0.1% $0.03 0.1%
State Unemployment Insurance $0.10 0.4% $0.17 0.6%
Workers’ Compensation $0.38 1.5% $0.44 1.6%
Compensation Per Hours Worked
South Atlantic Region/United States
1st Quarter 2010
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 infl ation. 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.
• The South Atlantic Region’s Total Compensation of $25.54 per hour worked in 1st Qtr. 2010 is below the
national average of $27.73 per hour worked.
• Wages and Salaries reported during 1st Qtr. 2010 for the South Atlantic comprised 72.0 percent of Total
Compensation. Nationally, Wages and Salaries comprised 70.6 percent.
• The Region’s Retirement and Savings cost $0.83 and made up 3.2 percent of Total Compensation. Retirement
and Savings averaged $0.96 (3.5%) nationally.
• Legally Required Benefi ts was 8.0 percent of Total Compensation for the Region, which is less than the 8.2
percent reported nationally. Social Security and Medicare are now 6.0 percent of Total Compensation compared
to 5.9 percent nationally.
• At $1.83, Health Insurance Benefi ts comprised 7.2 percent of Total Compensation (or 25.6% of Total Benefi ts) in
1st Qtr. 2010, while comprising 7.5 percent (25.5% of Total Benefi ts) nationally.
19 June 10 NC Today
Announced Business Closings/Layoffs: Data derived from a statewide survey of newspaper accounts of closings
and layoffs, and from information supplied to the North Carolina Employment Security Commission (ESC) by the
employing units experiencing the layoffs. The data is not inclusive and is not analyzed or evaluated for accuracy.
Average Hourly Earnings: The average hourly earnings of all workers in selected industries. Earnings are
calculated monthly from data collected through the Current Employment Statistics (CES) Program.
Average Weekly Hours: The average hours worked in a week for all workers in selected industries. They are
calculated monthly from data collected through the Current Employment Statistics (CES) Program.
Benchmark: The annual process of re-estimating statistics as more complete information becomes available.
Estimates are usually calculated using only a sample of the universe (total count). Benchmarking introduces new
levels as points of reference (either estimates or counts) from which measurements and/or adjustments to estimates
are based. Both industry employment collected by the Current Employment Statistics (CES) program and civilian
labor force estimates provided by the Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS) program are benchmarked.
Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS): The federal agency that functions as the principal data-gathering source for
labor economics for the federal government. As a part of the U.S. Department of Labor and in partnership with state
agencies, the BLS collects, processes, analyzes, and disseminates data relating to employment, unemployment, the
labor force, productivity, prices, family expenditures, wages, industrial relations, and occupational safety and health.
Civilian Labor Force: All persons in the civilian noninstitutional population (e.g., not on active duty in the Armed
Forces, residing in penal, mental facilities or homes for the aged), 16 years of age and older and classifi ed as either
employed or unemployed. These estimates are calculated based on residency, not work location.
Civilian Noninstitutional Population: All persons 16 years of age and older who reside in the United States, are not
institutionalized or on active duty in the Armed Forces.
Coincident Index: A tool that indicates the current economic conditions for the state. The index is seasonally
adjusted and consists of six variables: North Carolina’s Total Nonagricultural Employment, NC Taxable Retail Sales,
Richmond Manufacturing Index, NC Unemployment Rate, NC Average Hours Manufacturing (production only),
and the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for Southern Region, which adjusts Real Retail Sales by taking into account
infl ation.
Consumer Price Index (CPI): A report produced by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics that measures infl ation by
comparing monthly costs paid by urban consumers for a basket of goods and services.
Current Employment Statistics (CES): A federal Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)/state Employment Security
Commission (ESC) cooperative program which performs a monthly survey of approximately 12,000 businesses in
North Carolina that collects information as to the number of jobs on the payroll during the week that includes the
12th of that month. This data, which represents employment by industry division, are commonly referred to as the
“establishment survey,” “industry employment” or the “wage and salary employment series.” Each month, the CES
program releases preliminary employment and hours and earnings data for the prior month and revised data for the
month preceding the prior month. Estimates are benchmarked annually at the beginning of each to refl ect additional
data collection. Estimates are calculated based on work location, not residency. Individuals who hold more than one
job could be counted more than once.
Current Population Survey (CPS) or “Household Survey”: A monthly household survey conducted by the
Census Bureau for the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The information gathered from a sample of about 60,000
households nationally (approximately 1,500 households in North Carolina) is designed to be a representation of the
civilian noninstitutional population aged 16 years and older and is used in calculating estimates of the civilian labor
force, employment, unemployment and the unemployment rate for all states. Unlike the CES survey, individuals who
participate in this survey and who are working at more than one job, are counted as employed only once.
Discouraged Workers (Current Population Survey): Persons not in the labor force who want and are available for
a job, and who have looked for work sometime in the past 12 months (or since the end of their last job if held within
the past 12 months), but who are not currently looking because they believe there are no jobs available or there are
none for which they would qualify.
Glossary of Terms
June 10 NC Today 20
Durable Goods: Known as “hard goods,” the term refers to manufactured or processed items generally considered
to have a normal life expectancy of three years or more. The durable goods manufacturing industries are: Furniture
& Related Product; Wood Product; Nonmetallic Mineral Product; Fabricated Metal Product; Machinery; Computer
& Electronic Product; Electrical Equipment & Appliance, Transportation Equipment and Furniture & Related
Product.
Economic Indicators: Key statistics showing the direction of the economy. Among them are the unemployment
insurance claims, infl ation rate, factory utilization rate and balance of trade. They also include measurements of
various economic and business movements and activities of a community (e.g. employment, unemployment, hours
worked, income, savings, volume of building permits and volume of sales) whose fl uctuations affect and may be
used to determine overall economic trends.
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 offi cers 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 fi rm), 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.
Employment-to-Population Ratio (E-P): The proportion of the civilian noninstitutional population that is
employed.
Entrants (Current Population Survey): Unemployed persons who are entering the labor force as a new entrant or
re-entrant.
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
Classifi cation System (NAICS) groups similar establishments into industries.
Initial Claim: Includes new and additional initial claims. An additional initial claim is a subsequent initial claim
fi led to reopen a claim series during an existing benefi t 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.
Job Leavers: An unemployment category describing individuals who quit or otherwise terminate their employment
voluntarily and immediately begin looking for work.
Job Losers: An unemployment category describing persons (a) who are on temporary layoff, who have been given
a date to return to work or who expect to return within six months or (b) whose employment ended voluntarily and
began looking for work.
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).
21 June 10 NC Today
Labor Market Information (LMI): A term used to describe the delivery of labor force, employment,
unemployment, wage, supply and demand, occupational, industrial and economic and demographic data for the
analysis of manpower problems.
Labor Supply: The number of workers who are unemployed and seeking work, or who would seek employment if
they believed jobs were available.
Layoff: Suspension from pay by the company for reasons such as lack of orders, plant breakdown, and shortage of
materials or termination of seasonal or temporary employment.
Leading Index: A tool that predicts future changes in the state’s economy. The seven variables included in the
index are seasonally adjusted and consist of the Coincident Index, the North Carolina-Based Companies’ Average
Stock Price, the state’s Average Hours in Manufacturing (production only), Initial Unemployment Insurance Claims,
Residential Building Permits (statewide), and two indicators of the national economy: New Orders for Total Capital
Goods and New Orders for Nondefense Goods.
Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS): A federal Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)/state Employment
Security Commission (ESC) 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.
Metropolitan Statistical Area (Metro): A federal Offi ce of Management and Budget (OMB) defi ned area having at
least one urbanized area with a population of 50,000 or more. Metros 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 Metros consisting of 39 counties.
New Business Openings: Data derived from a statewide survey of newspaper accounts of new business openings
and from information supplied to the North Carolina Employment Security Commission (ESC) by the new
employing units. The data is not inclusive and is not analyzed or evaluated for accuracy.
New Claimants: The fi rst initial claim fi led in person, by mail, telephone, or other means within a benefi t year
to request a determination of entitlement and compensation. This results in an agency-generated document of an
appealable determination provided to the potential claimant.
New Entrants: An unemployment category comprised of individuals who have never worked.
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 Products; Textiles; Apparel; Paper; Printing; Chemical; and Plastics & Rubber Manufacturing.
North American Industry Classifi cation (NAICS): An industrial classifi cation 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. Classifi cation is by major economic group or sector (two-digit),
economic subsector (three-digit), industry group (four-digit), international industry level (fi ve-digit), and national
industry level (six-digit, optional) in order of increasing detail. Conversion from Standard Industrial Classifi cation
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 in the Labor Force-Other Reasons: Individuals who are not counted as unemployed because they are not
actively seeking work for such reasons as school, family responsibilities, ill health or transportation problems.
Not Seasonally Adjusted: An economic time series that is not statistically adjusted to eliminate seasonal fl uctuations
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.
Race (White, Black or African American, and Asian): Terms used to describe the identity of respondents to the
Current Population Survey (CPS). Individuals in these categories are those who selected that race group only. Others
who selected the remaining groups (American Indian, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian or Other Pacifi c Islanders)
or selected more than one race category are included in the total labor force estimates, but are not shown separately
because the number of respondents is too small to develop estimates.
June 10 NC Today 22
Re-entrants: An unemployment category comprised of individuals who previously worked, but who have been out
of the labor force prior to beginning their most recent job search.
Seasonally Adjusted: A statistical adjustment eliminating the infl uence of weather, holidays, the opening and
closing of schools and other recurring seasonal events from an economic time series. By smoothing these seasonal
fl uctuations, 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; Educational & Health; Leisure & Hospitality; Other and Government.
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 specifi c efforts to fi nd 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].
Weeks Claimed: Weeks covered for which waiting period credit or payment of compensation is requested.
23 June 10 NC Today
Prepared By:
Employment Security Commission of
North Carolina (ESC),
Labor Market Information Division (LMI)
www.ncesc.com