Manufacturing in North Carolina has a rich historical significance, previously dominated by industries such as tobacco, textiles, and furniture. In recent years, the sector has shown signs of recovery following the pandemic, with production now 1% higher than in 2019. This contrasts with a national manufacturing production increase of 7% during the same period [dba06c1a].
Despite this recovery in production, manufacturing employment in North Carolina has dropped by 3% from 2019 to 2024, while national manufacturing employment has seen a slight rise of 1%. However, overall job growth in North Carolina has been robust, increasing by 9%, which outpaces the national gain of 5% [dba06c1a].
A notable trend in North Carolina's manufacturing sector is the significant surge in average hourly wages for manufacturing jobs, which have increased by 28%, surpassing the inflation rate of 22% [dba06c1a]. This wage growth reflects a shift in the job market, yet there remains a challenge with job vacancies, largely attributed to a disinterest among younger generations in pursuing careers in manufacturing [dba06c1a].
The state's manufacturing landscape is also transitioning from traditional sectors towards technology and pharmaceuticals. Future growth is anticipated in areas such as technology, pharmaceuticals, aeronautics, vehicle production, computer chips, and batteries. Additionally, there is potential for artificial intelligence to play a role in revitalizing traditional manufacturing sectors [dba06c1a]. As North Carolina navigates these changes, the focus on innovation and adaptation will be crucial for sustaining its manufacturing industry in the coming years.