NC Labor & Economic Analysis Division (LEAD)@LeadNC

North Carolina's leading provider of labor market information and economic analysis. Division of @NCCommerce.

 North Carolina, USA
commerce.nc.gov/about-us/div…
Joined April 2012
1,076 Photos and videos
Every NC metro area gained workers on net through interstate job switching from 2022-2024. Our latest LEAD Feed blog shows where each NC metro draws workers from and which industries gain the most: commerce.nc.gov/news/the-lea…
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📈 #Construction led NC’s industries in year-over-year job growth. According to September 2026 employment data, construction jobs grew 5.7% over the year, outpacing other sectors. Explore the data and see what else we covered at our latest LMI Tuesday: commerce.nc.gov/lmi-tuesday-…
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Our latest NC In Numbers newsletter is out! Explore North Carolina's unemployment and job growth estimates for September 2026: icont.ac/51o9R
Banner showing North Carolina's economy statistics with the NC Department of Commerce logo and Labor & Economic Analysis text.

ALT Banner showing North Carolina's economy statistics with the NC Department of Commerce logo and Labor & Economic Analysis text.
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Analysis of UNC System graduates reveals that although specific programs closely linked to Manufacturing have shifted over the past two decades, engineering and industrial degree pathways have supplied a stable share of talent to NC’s Manufacturing sector: commerce.nc.gov/news/the-lea…

How UNC System Graduates Connect to Manufacturing Careers

commerce.nc.gov
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At today's LMI Tuesday, LEAD economists check in on Western North Carolina’s recovery, review the latest statewide employment numbers, and answer your questions about the economy. Join the session: commerce.nc.gov/lmi-tuesdays
Aerial view of a Western North Carolina city under a partly cloudy sky, highlighting urban and mountainous landscape.

ALT Aerial view of a Western North Carolina city under a partly cloudy sky, highlighting urban and mountainous landscape.
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Rapid advancements in generative AI are fueling a boom in US data center investment, which surpassed $75 billion (annualized) by mid-2026. But this buildout is straining the availability of key components and adding to price pressures in the economy: commerce.nc.gov/news/the-lea…
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LEAD is at the NCWorks Partnership Conference! Stop by our table to learn more about what we do at LEAD.
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Analysis of NCCCS graduates shows that programs such as Computer Integrated Machining and Industrial Systems Technology remain key pathways into the state’s evolving Manufacturing sector. Check out the full story for more information: commerce.nc.gov/news/the-lea…

Which NCCCS Programs Have the Highest Employment in Manufacturing?

commerce.nc.gov
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The LEAD team is excited for the NCWorks Partnership Conference this week! Visit our table to learn more about what we do at LEAD. See you there!
N.C. Commerce@NCCommerce
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#Tomorrow: join workforce development professionals from across the state at the 2026 NCWorks Partnership Conference! There's still time to register to attend this high-value conference in Greensboro, on October 14-16: commerce.nc.gov/jobs-trainin…
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How is Western North Carolina’s economy recovering two years after Hurricane Helene? At our next LMI Tuesday, LEAD economists Andrew Berger-Gross and Jonathan Guarine check in on Western North Carolina’s recovery. Join the October 20th session at 11:30am: commerce.nc.gov/lmi-tuesdays
Aerial view of a Western North Carolina city under a partly cloudy sky, highlighting urban and mountainous landscape.

ALT Aerial view of a Western North Carolina city under a partly cloudy sky, highlighting urban and mountainous landscape.
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📈#NCEconomyWatch: The Western NC economy is recovering from the impact of Hurricane Helene, but some indicators continue to lag. Read our October 2026 edition of NC Economy Watch to learn more about the slow road to recovery in Western NC: commerce.nc.gov/news/the-lea…
Line graph showing Western NC employment trends from 2023 to 2026, with dips below 400,000 after Hurricane Helene impact.

ALT Line graph showing Western NC employment trends from 2023 to 2026, with dips below 400,000 after Hurricane Helene impact.
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Findings from the 2026 Employer Needs Survey is out! The NC Employer Needs Survey is conducted every 2 years to understand the workforce challenges facing NC employers. This edition surveyed a general sample of employers plus 3 industry-specific samples: lead.nc.gov/employer-needs-s…
2026 Employer Needs Survey Report cover featuring a person marking checkboxes on a transparent digital interface over a laptop.

ALT 2026 Employer Needs Survey Report cover featuring a person marking checkboxes on a transparent digital interface over a laptop.
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Check out our latest LEADing News newsletter! This edition highlights the August 2026 county unemployment estimates, the 2026 Employer Needs Survey, and more: icont.ac/51nHz
Banner for The LEADing News from the NC Department of Commerce's Labor & Economic Analysis Division.

ALT Banner for The LEADing News from the NC Department of Commerce's Labor & Economic Analysis Division.
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📈#NCEconomyWatch: Are tariffs showing up in consumer prices? For some goods categories, the answer is yes. Apparel prices are up about 4% over the past year, with prices for sporting goods and toys seeing similar increases. Read more on the LEAD Feed: commerce.nc.gov/news/the-lea…
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North Carolina’s #Manufacturing CTE data show rising participation, and graduates enter and remain in the state’s Manufacturing sector at strong and stable rates. Check out the full story for more information: commerce.nc.gov/news/the-lea…
Bar chart showing employment percentages of Manufacturing CTE Concentrators in 2020 across five sectors, comparing Year 2 and Year 5 cohorts.

ALT Bar chart showing employment percentages of Manufacturing CTE Concentrators in 2020 across five sectors, comparing Year 2 and Year 5 cohorts.

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It's #LMITuesday! After a few years of steady progress, inflation spiked again in NC in 2026. Join us at 11:30 am for "NC Economy Watch: Inflation's Bumpy Road" as we unpack what's driving the spike, plus a look at the latest statewide employment data: commerce.nc.gov/lmi-tuesdays
Wooden letter blocks spelling 'INFLATION' placed on various US dollar bills including ones, fives, twenties, and tens.

ALT Wooden letter blocks spelling 'INFLATION' placed on various US dollar bills including ones, fives, twenties, and tens.
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📈#NCEconomyWatch: Inflation has been in the headlines this year. Consumer prices rose 3.4% from Aug. 2025 to Aug. 2026, on par with inflation readings from early 2023. We break down what’s behind this year’s increase in our latest article: commerce.nc.gov/news/the-lea…
Line graph showing U.S. headline inflation rising to 4.2% in 2026, the highest in over three years, with data from 2021 to 2026.

ALT Line graph showing U.S. headline inflation rising to 4.2% in 2026, the highest in over three years, with data from 2021 to 2026.
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UNC System Accounting graduates find strong career opportunities and substantial earnings growth, but the number of graduates remains below its peak as demand for accounting talent is projected to increase. Check out the full story for more information: commerce.nc.gov/news/the-lea…

UNC Accounting Graduate Pathways: Two Decades of Employment and Earnings Trends

commerce.nc.gov
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Have you checked out our LEAD website recently? We’ve been working behind the scenes to make it easier to find the data, research, and workforce insights you need. Explore the redesign: lead.nc.gov/
Laptop screen showing the LEAD website homepage with economic data and labor market updates.

ALT Laptop screen showing the LEAD website homepage with economic data and labor market updates.
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Check out our latest LEADing News newsletter! This edition highlights the July 2026 county unemployment estimates, our revamped LEAD website, and more: icont.ac/51m10
Banner for The LEADing News from the NC Department of Commerce's Labor & Economic Analysis Division.

ALT Banner for The LEADing News from the NC Department of Commerce's Labor & Economic Analysis Division.
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