RALEIGH — The state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.9 percent in March, a decrease of 0.2 percent from February’s revised rate. 

The national rate decreased 0.2 percent to 4.5 percent. 

North Carolina’s March rate fell 0.2 percent from a year ago. The number of people employed increased 15,331 in March to 4,706,795 and increased 111,111 over last year. The number of people unemployed decreased 8,149 from Febuary to 244,060 and decreased 4,697 from last year. 

Seasonally adjusted nonfarm industry employment, according to a monthly survey, increased 500 to 4,387,600 in March. The major industries with the largest monthly increases were government at 4,900, followed by manufacturing, 2,600; professional and business services, 900; financial activities, 500; and education and health services, 300.

Major industries experiencing decreases were construction, 3,700; trade, transportation and utilities, 3,000;  information, 1,600; other services, 300; and leisure and hospitality services, 100. Mining and logging employment remained unchanged over the month. 

Since March 2016, total nonfarm jobs gained 69,700 with the total private sector growing by 62,400 and government increasing by 7,300.

The largest over-the-year increase among major industries was professional and business services at 18,800, followed by leisure and hospitality services, 11,600; education and health services, 10,700; trade, transportation and utilities, 8,600; government, 7,300; financial activities, 6,000; other services, 5,300; construction, 4,400; and mining and logging, 200.

Major industries with decreases were information, 2,300, and manufacturing, 900.

 The next unemployment update is scheduled for May 3.