Workforce
A Productive and Affordable Workforce
The Eastern Region has exactly what employers are looking for in a workforce. Wages and other worker-related costs are lower, and productivity is higher, than the national averages. A strong work ethic characterizes employees throughout the Region. And a pro-business environment help keeps labor-related issues to a minimum.
A Large and Diverse Workforce
The workforce in the Eastern Region exceeds 400,000 and includes an abundant supply of skilled workers, industrial labor, entry level and clerical workers. A wide variety of available job skills is fueled by a diverse manufacturing base, and augmented by 12,000 annual military discharges from bases within the Region. Educational institutions, including a major state university, three four-year colleges and 11 community colleges, provide an excellent pool of full and part-time workers.
An Excellent Labor Environment
North Carolina is a right-to-work state, with a unionization rate that is among the lowest in the nation. The Eastern Region offers low workers' compensation rates, and unemployment insurance rates are also among the nation's lowest.
DISTRIBUTION OF EMPLOYMENT AND WAGES BY INDUSTRY
| INDUSTRY | EMPLOYMENT | AVG. ANNUAL WAGE |
| Goods Producing | 83,098 | $34,354 |
| Natural Resources & Mining | 10,172 | $25,836 |
| Construction | 23,229 | $32,241 |
| Manufacturing | 49,697 | $37,085 |
| Service Providing Domain | 297,723 | $29,332 |
| Trade, Transportation, Utilities | 74,114 | $28,109 |
| Information | 5,992 | $39,064 |
| Financial Activities | 11,868 | $36,477 |
| Professional and Business | 34,853 | $29,360 |
| Education and Health | 94,664 | $33,813 |
| Leisure and Hospitality | 37,146 | $11,268 |
| Other Services | 8,819 | $19,735 |
| Public Administration | 28,994 | $39,457 |
