The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) recently released its latest data on county employment and wages in North Carolina for the third quarter of 2025 (covering data through September 2025). This report, part of the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW) program, provides a detailed snapshot of how jobs and pay are trending across the state’s 100 counties.

North Carolina’s economy showed modest growth amid a mixed national picture. Here’s what the numbers reveal.

Statewide Overview

  • Total covered employment in North Carolina reached 4,939,400 in September 2025.
  • The state’s average weekly wage stood at $1,328, ranking 23rd nationally (below the U.S. average of $1,459).
  • Employment growth: +0.5% over the year (September 2024 to September 2025), outperforming the national average of +0.1%.
  • Wage growth: +4.2% over the year, slightly lagging the national increase of +4.7% and ranking 27th among states.

The 14 largest counties (those with 75,000+ average annual employment in 2024) accounted for 62% of the state’s total covered employment.

Employment Trends Across Large Counties

Employment increased in 10 of the 14 largest counties between September 2024 and September 2025. Growth was strongest in coastal and growing urban areas.

Top employment gainers among large counties:

  • New Hanover County: +2.5% (8th nationally)
  • Pitt County: +2.3%
  • Cabarrus County: +2.2%
  • Wake County: +1.5% (24th nationally)

Counties with declines:

  • Buncombe County: -2.1%
  • Durham County: -1.6%
  • Cumberland County: -0.4%
  • Gaston County: -0.2%

Largest counties by employment level (September 2025):

  • Mecklenburg County: 789,800 workers
  • Wake County: 662,300 workers
  • Guilford County: 291,400 workers
  • Forsyth County: 191,500 workers
  • Cumberland County: 122,300 workers

Wage Growthand Levels

All 14 large counties saw average weekly wage increases, with gains ranging from +2.0% to +6.4%.

Strongest wage growth:

  • Catawba County: +6.4% (15th nationally)
  • New Hanover County: +5.8%

Highest-paying large counties (third quarter 2025):

  • Durham County: $1,940 (14th nationally)
  • Mecklenburg County: $1,628
  • Orange County: $1,564
  • Wake County: $1,480

Four of these large counties exceeded the national average weekly wage of $1,459.

Lowest-paying large counties:

  • Gaston County: $1,073
  • Cumberland County: $1,123
  • Cabarrus County: $1,095

Among smaller counties, Union County had the highest average weekly wage at $1,231, while Pamlico County had the lowest at $729.

Wage distribution across all 100 North Carolina counties shows clear variation:

  • 28 counties: below $925 per week
  • 25 counties: $925–$974
  • 17 counties: $975–$1,024
  • 10 counties: $1,025–$1,074
  • 20 counties: $1,075 or higher

What This Means for North Carolina

North Carolina’s employment growth slightly outpaced the nation, driven by gains in counties like New Hanover, Wake, and Pitt. However, wage growth was a bit softer than the U.S. average, and many rural and smaller counties continue to lag in both employment levels and pay.

Urban centers like Mecklenburg (Charlotte area) and Wake (Raleigh area) remain economic powerhouses with high employment and competitive wages, particularly in tech, finance, education, and research sectors (reflected in Durham and Orange counties’ high pay). Coastal and suburban areas showed resilience in job creation.

These figures are preliminary and based on unemployment insurance data. They exclude certain self-employed and federal workers not covered by the program.

Where to Find More Details

The full BLS news release includes charts, maps, and downloadable Excel tables with data for all counties. You can explore:

  • Large county tables (employment, wages, rankings)
  • Smaller county data
  • State comparisons
  • Technical notes on methodology

Direct link to the report: County Employment and Wages in North Carolina — Third Quarter 2025

For ongoing trends, check the BLS QCEW homepage or North Carolina-specific economic indicators.

What do you think? Is North Carolina’s economy performing as expected in your region? Share your thoughts in the comments—whether you’re in the Triangle, Charlotte metro, Triad, or a rural county.

Note: Data are from the BLS and subject to revision in future releases.