Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis revealed that, as of September 2025, the national hiring rate has reached a decade low, with the exception of the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Associated Press reports that several factors have contributed to this, including the impact of the eleven interest rate hikes that occurred in 2022 and 2023 and the dozens of tariffs enacted by President Donald Trump since the beginning of the year.
Economists generally agree that the long-run breakeven employment growth rate (or the rate at which new jobs need to be added to keep up with population growth) is somewhere between 70,000 and 90,000 jobs per month. However, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in August 2025, just 22,000 new jobs were added. June and July saw a combined 87,000 new jobs added to the workforce.
Those numbers are bleak, to be sure, but not all employment news is bad. Certain sectors, like health care and social services, continue to see rapid growth. The Bureau of Labor Statistics said average hourly earnings for all employees are also up by 3.7% over the past 12 months. The total number of hours worked per week has been edging down for all employees, providing opportunities for much-needed work-life balance.
The employment story also looks quite different from state to state. Some places, like Utah, New Mexico, Hawai'i, and Idaho, are seeing high-percentage job growth year over year; others, like Washington D.C., Iowa, and Kansas, have actually seen a shrinkage in the overall number of job openings.
Using BLS jobs data, Stacker determined the fastest-growing jobs in North Carolina. Occupations were ranked by the percentage increase in employment between 2023 and 2024. Jobs were excluded from the ranking if they had fewer than 1,000 people working in them in the state.
Keep reading to learn which jobs are growing the fastest in North Carolina.
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Stock Rocket // Shutterstock
1 / 50- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +25.5% (400 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,970
--- Employment in 2023: 1,570
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $66,090
AlesiaKan // Shutterstock
2 / 50- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +26.2% (380 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,830
--- Employment in 2023: 1,450
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $54,720
MS Mikel // Shutterstock
3 / 50- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +27.7% (260 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,200
--- Employment in 2023: 940
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $34,460
Arjuna Kodisinghe // Shutterstock
4 / 50- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +27.9% (2,850 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 13,080
--- Employment in 2023: 10,230
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $97,590
aboutsung // Shutterstock
5 / 50- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +28.2% (2,020 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 9,190
--- Employment in 2023: 7,170
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $26,300
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branislavpudar // Shutterstock
6 / 50- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +28.7% (270 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,210
--- Employment in 2023: 940
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $41,550
Andrey_Popov // Shutterstock
7 / 50- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +29.1% (230 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,020
--- Employment in 2023: 790
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $54,220
Dragon Images // Shutterstock
8 / 50- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +29.7% (1,020 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 4,450
--- Employment in 2023: 3,430
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $57,190
zhu difeng // Shutterstock
9 / 50- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +30.4% (1,510 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 6,480
--- Employment in 2023: 4,970
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $34,570
Virrage Images // Shutterstock
10 / 50- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +30.5% (460 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,970
--- Employment in 2023: 1,510
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $28,700
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Lucky Business // Shutterstock
11 / 50- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +31.0% (2,360 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 9,970
--- Employment in 2023: 7,610
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $45,080
Dragana Gordic // Shutterstock
12 / 50- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +31.1% (380 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,600
--- Employment in 2023: 1,220
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $46,930
manine99 // Shutterstock
13 / 50- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +32.1% (950 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 3,910
--- Employment in 2023: 2,960
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $59,390
luchschenF // Shutterstock
14 / 50- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +32.5% (260 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,060
--- Employment in 2023: 800
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $123,500
REDPIXEL.PL // Shutterstock
15 / 50- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +32.6% (300 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,220
--- Employment in 2023: 920
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $74,330
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VGstockstudio // Shutterstock
16 / 50- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +32.7% (1,510 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 6,130
--- Employment in 2023: 4,620
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $30,560
Photographee.eu // Shutterstock
17 / 50- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +34.5% (890 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 3,470
--- Employment in 2023: 2,580
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $46,670
Noin90650 // Shutterstock
18 / 50- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +34.9% (950 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 3,670
--- Employment in 2023: 2,720
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $45,410
Dusan Petkovic // Shutterstock
19 / 50- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +35.6% (480 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,830
--- Employment in 2023: 1,350
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $39,160
MarijaBazarova // Shutterstock
20 / 50- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +36.5% (580 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 2,170
--- Employment in 2023: 1,590
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $46,120
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Socrates471 // Shutterstock
21 / 50- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +36.8% (460 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,710
--- Employment in 2023: 1,250
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $43,870
wavebreakmedia // Shutterstock
22 / 50- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +40.7% (5,140 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 17,760
--- Employment in 2023: 12,620
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $37,200
Dagmara_K // Shutterstock
23 / 50- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +43.1% (560 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,860
--- Employment in 2023: 1,300
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $48,460
kanemme6 // Shutterstock
24 / 50- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +43.2% (960 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 3,180
--- Employment in 2023: 2,220
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $34,570
ALPA PROD // Shutterstock
25 / 50- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +44.8% (14,100 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 45,540
--- Employment in 2023: 31,440
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $39,930
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Gorodenkoff // Shutterstock
26 / 50- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +45.3% (780 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 2,500
--- Employment in 2023: 1,720
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $239,200+
Gorodenkoff // Shutterstock
27 / 50- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +46.4% (1,340 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 4,230
--- Employment in 2023: 2,890
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $106,960
DGLimages // Shutterstock
28 / 50- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +48.4% (880 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 2,700
--- Employment in 2023: 1,820
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $56,730
Leika production // Shutterstock
29 / 50- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +49.8% (1,250 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 3,760
--- Employment in 2023: 2,510
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $38,260
Chaay_Tee // Shutterstock
30 / 50- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +52.7% (3,500 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 10,140
--- Employment in 2023: 6,640
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $115,380
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VH-studio // Shutterstock
31 / 50- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +53.3% (730 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 2,100
--- Employment in 2023: 1,370
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $70,090
angellodeco // Shutterstock
32 / 50- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +53.5% (460 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,320
--- Employment in 2023: 860
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $82,170
Dragon Images // Shutterstock
33 / 50- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +55.3% (2,950 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 8,280
--- Employment in 2023: 5,330
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $40,470
N.Z.Photography // Shutterstock
34 / 50- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +55.8% (4,890 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 13,660
--- Employment in 2023: 8,770
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $106,240
M2020 // Shutterstock
35 / 50- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +57.8% (480 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,310
--- Employment in 2023: 830
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $47,620
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shocky // Shutterstock
36 / 50- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +58.1% (3,460 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 9,420
--- Employment in 2023: 5,960
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $36,650
Nature's Charm // Shutterstock
37 / 50- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +58.7% (1,830 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 4,950
--- Employment in 2023: 3,120
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $27,320
Andrey_Popov // Shutterstock
38 / 50- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +63.1% (530 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,370
--- Employment in 2023: 840
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $55,190
SGr // Shutterstock
39 / 50- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +65.0% (780 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,980
--- Employment in 2023: 1,200
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $36,120
Suteren // Shutterstock
40 / 50- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +72.9% (620 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,470
--- Employment in 2023: 850
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $29,520
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Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
41 / 50- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +74.8% (1,040 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 2,430
--- Employment in 2023: 1,390
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $48,550
MAVV // Shutterstock
42 / 50- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +75.3% (1,280 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 2,980
--- Employment in 2023: 1,700
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $33,690
fizkes // Shutterstock
43 / 50- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +76.5% (750 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,730
--- Employment in 2023: 980
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $48,840
Aleksander Krsmanovic // Shutterstock
44 / 50- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +79.8% (750 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,690
--- Employment in 2023: 940
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $61,080
Motortion Films // Shutterstock
45 / 50- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +88.1% (520 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,110
--- Employment in 2023: 590
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $72,910
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Roman Korotkov // Shutterstock
46 / 50- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +107.1% (1,050 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 2,030
--- Employment in 2023: 980
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $35,290
Daxiao Productions // Shutterstock
47 / 50- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +134.4% (1,210 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 2,110
--- Employment in 2023: 900
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $53,910
kittirat roekburi // Shutterstock
48 / 50- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +135.4% (650 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,130
--- Employment in 2023: 480
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $56,630
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
49 / 50- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +154.0% (970 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,600
--- Employment in 2023: 630
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $60,640
Drazen Zigic // Shutterstock
50 / 50- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +200.0% (1,300 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,950
--- Employment in 2023: 650
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $64,700
This story features data reporting by Wade Zhou, writing by Madison Troyer, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 51 states.
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