Anyone hiring? NC job market remains stagnant for seekers, employers in February

The stagnant nature of the North Carolina job market for seekers and employers persisted into February with the unemployment rate remaining at 3.8%, the state Commerce Department reported Wednesday.

For February, there was an overall increase of just 1,651 in the labor force from January - representing a gain of 701 newly employed and 2,352 fewer individuals listed as newly unemployed and looking for work.

People who have paused or stopped looking for work are not counted toward the unemployment rate.

Year over year, the state's labor force is up by 21,467. That represents a gain of 21,711 individuals listed as employed and a decrease of 244 of those considered unemployed and looking for work.

"Labor market conditions softened in North Carolina in February," said Bethany Greene, an analyst with the Federal Reserve Bank in Richmond, Va., which focuses on mid-Atlantic states.

"Employment declined, primarily due to job losses in trade, transportation and utilities."

The state's monthly survey of N.C. employers offered a gloomier economic picture.

There was a loss of 2,600 private-sector jobs from January, along with a net gain of 1,200 government jobs.

The biggest net hiring positive continues to be in private education and health services with a 2,700 gain in February after a 4,700 gain in January.

There also was a net gain of 900 in the other services category, along with 600 in construction.

However, more than offsetting those hiring increases were losses of 3,300 jobs in trade, transportation and utilities, along with a loss of 1,900 in the lower-wage leisure and hospitality services, a loss of 1,100 in manufacturing, and a loss of 800 in financial activities.

Over the past year, the state has had a net gain of 30,800 private-sector and 5,500 government jobs.

Private sector hiring was led by 22,000 in private education and health services, followed by 11,200 in construction and 7,900 in leisure and hospitality services.

Meanwhile, there was an overall loss of 12,500 manufacturing jobs, 4,200 in trade, transportation and utilities, and 2,400 in information technology.

Manufacturing job losses have been acutely felt in the Triad with at least 11 plant closing announcements since the start of 2025. More than 1,200 jobs were lost in those announcements.

"Manufacturing has been soft, as businesses have had to navigate the tariff turmoil, and folks are maintaining low inventories," said Mark Vitner, chief economist with Piedmont Crescent Capital.

Financial shortfalls for AppHealthCare has led to the northwest North Carolina health care agency announcing last week plans to eliminate 23 jobs by June 30. Prior to the posting, the agency listed having 120 full-time and part-time employees and 10 contact workers.

Prepac Manufacturing US LLC, a maker of ready-to-assemble furniture, plans to close its Whitsett manufacturing plant by May 2 and eliminate 200 jobs.

CJ Logistics America LLC, a business unit of a South Korean supply chain and logistics company, is closing its Rural Hall facility by March 23 and eliminating 99 jobs.

BekaertDeslee, a Belgian-based textile manufacturer, said Jan. 19 it is eliminating 40 jobs at its Winston-Salem workforce as part of a "strategic realignment." The company produces mattress ticking, mattress covers and other sleep-oriented products.

Qualicaps Inc. said 91 jobs would be eliminated by the end of 2026 as part of closing its Whitsett facility.

10 Roads Express LLC is closing its 407 Norwalk St. location in Greensboro by Feb. 28. The notice lists 74 affected employees, including 67 drivers. The company said closing the Greensboro facility is part of an overall shutdown related to the discontinuation of its business with the U.S. Postal Service.

Precision Concepts International LLC shuttered earlier in February its operations at 1403A S. Third St. in Mebane, affecting 59 employees.

Economists cautioned that the January through March state jobless rates are not reflecting the February outbreak of the U.S. war against Iran and the spillover effect on the U.S. and state economies.

"With the war's likely adverse impacts on prices, inflation and uncertainty, it is likely future reports will not be as upbeat," said Michael Walden, a retired N.C. State economics professor.

"At the beginning of 2026 most economists, including me, were predicting a reasonably decent year for both businesses and households."

Walden cautioned that economists "are busy recalibrating their models and trying to access what economic impacts the conflict will have."

"It seems to be clear that the conflict will have negative impacts. The questions are how negative and what that bad news will entail."

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