North Carolina is expected to add more than 260,000 jobs between 2024 and 2034, according to an April 13 report. However, the growth will not be evenly distributed across industries or regions in the state.
The projected job increases are significant for the state’s economy but highlight varying trends among North Carolina’s sixteen regional labor markets. The analysis is based on the state’s eight Prosperity Zones, which are further divided into sub-regions for more detailed projections.
Three metropolitan areas—Raleigh-Durham, Charlotte, and Wilmington—are anticipated to exceed the statewide employment growth rate of five percent. For example, Charlotte is projected to gain over 96,000 jobs (7.1% increase), while Raleigh-Durham expects an increase of about 89,000 jobs (7.1%). Wilmington is forecasted to grow by nearly seven percent as well. Other regions such as Asheville and Pinehurst-Rockingham will see more modest gains. In western North Carolina, job growth reflects a long-term recovery from Hurricane Helene as areas like Asheville return to pre-storm trends.
The service-providing sector will drive most of this expansion statewide. Health Care and Social Assistance stands out as the leading sector for job creation in most regions; within this category, Ambulatory Health Care Services are expected to account for a large share of new positions due to ongoing demand for healthcare services. Other growing sectors include Professional and Technical Services, Finance and Insurance, and Accommodation and Food Services.
Goods-producing industries show mixed patterns across different parts of North Carolina. While some regions anticipate gains in construction or manufacturing jobs, others—such as Pinehurst-Rockingham or Greensboro—may experience slight declines in these sectors.
These industry employment projections serve several purposes: workforce boards use them for strategic planning; economic developers rely on them when allocating resources; career counselors help job seekers identify promising fields; and educational institutions can align training programs with future needs. The data also accounts for technological changes like artificial intelligence that may gradually influence industry trends.
