Green grass and rolling hills under a Carolina blue sky punctuate a diverse economy that optimizes Raleigh employment. Unemployment in this North Carolina capitol is nearly a third of the national average and not much more than half of the state unemployment rate. Raleigh’s diverse, high-tech economy, low crime, and all the amenities of a much larger metropolis make living and working in the city attractive. This is perhaps why it has been rated #5 of the Top 25 metropolitan areas in the United States. Historically, the Raleigh employment rate is one of the best in the nation, and for very good reason.
Technical and Diverse Economy
Raleigh’s economy is diverse and consistent. In May of 2009, Raleigh had an unemployment rate of 3.53% compared with a North Carolina state average of 6.1% and a national 9.4% unemployment rate. Raleigh employment is always one of the highest in the country. A year ago, Raleigh employment was a phenomenal 99%. The world economic crisis has impacted the Raleigh employment situation but far less than other municipalities.
Located in the center of the Research Triangle, Raleigh plays a large role in the most successful research park in the country. High technology research in biotechnology, textiles, medicine, and advanced engineering create numerous Raleigh employment opportunities. Raleigh’s economy grows from its research base to encompass industries in biotechnology; electrical, medical, electronics and telecommunication manufacturing; advanced textile development, and a number of high tech consultancies. Other opportunities for Raleigh employment exist in clothing and apparel, food processing, paper products, and pharmaceuticals. Major internationally known firms have bases or significant operations in Raleigh.
Raleigh is also a progressive community, with many modern businesses and government services that requires skilled staff in nearly all sectors. Raleigh is economically balanced between a thriving private sector and system of research institutions that receive substantial private and government funding. Extensive transportation infrastructure includes a major international passenger airport and no less than ten general aviation airports. Raleigh is a regular and busy stop for Amtrak rail services.
There are Raleigh employment opportunities for engineers, researchers at all levels, academicians, technicians, media personalities and technicians, logisticians from planners to truck drivers, IT consultants and technicians, as well as numerous skilled and unskilled construction laborers. Raleigh median income is relatively high with a median family income of $60,000 annually and a per capita income over $25,000.
Accessing Raleigh Employment Opportunities
There are more than 180 private employment agencies specializing in nearly every skill set required in Raleigh employment opportunities. These agencies supply permanent, temporary, technical and general labor to the Raleigh employment market. Many of the firms are nationally known like Kelly Services at www.kellyservices.com or Spherion online at www.spherion.com. The medical industry is particularly well represented.
North Carolina’s Employment Security Commission actively identifies available positions and assists employers seeking new employees. The commission collects all employment data for the state and administers unemployment compensation and training programs. This helps them monitor the pulse of Raleigh employment. Raleigh employment opportunities can be easily accessed on the ESC web site at www.nvesc.com. Prospective employees do not have to be North Carolina residents to apply for listed positions. However, the ESC only lists positions employers have advertised, including government jobs, so the source is not comprehensive. National databases like Monster.com have far more listings for Raleigh than can be found on the ESC site. Local newspapers like the News and Observer advertise an abundance of jobs and have an online addition at www.newsobserver.com. North Carolina is a right to work state, but unions such as Communications Workers of America can assist the prospective union employees.
Quality of life
Raleigh employment is not drudgery. Raleigh has a mild, clean, pleasant environment with winter temperatures that seldom approach freezing and summer temperatures that encourage outdoor activities even during the hottest months. Rainfall is abundant though there are periods of drought that may cause authorities to limit water use. The city sits well east of the closest fault line and far enough from the coast to dodge most hurricanes. A hurricane that reaches Raleigh drops a lot of rain, but its bluster is significantly diminished. The Carolinas do experience severe weather, especially thunderstorms and the occasional tornado. Sunny weather is the norm and the greenery is healthy and relaxing.
The city and county have abundant housing with a median selling price of $195,000 while you can rent for an average $1250 per month. Raleigh has 41% less violent crime and 38% less property crime than the national average. The city is full of the best amenities America has to offer including a variety of museums and parks for entertainment and enlightenment. This city of 385,000 people sports 10 colleges and universities and a very well financed public school system. The area has some of the most progressive and state of the art hospitals in the world.
For the more enthusiastic sports fans, Raleigh offers major professional hockey, minor league baseball and both women’s and men’s professional soccer, as well numerous world class martial arts exhibitions and tournaments year round. North Carolina State University, in the center of Raleigh is a top-class engineering institution whose athletes rank among the best in the nation along those from two major neighboring schools, the University of North Carolina and Duke University that boast two highly ranked medical schools. The city is within a few hours of North Carolina’s beaches in the east or beautiful mountain play spots to the west.
Uniquely Inviting
Raleigh employment is consistently among the highest in the nation. The city has flirted with perfect employment. Raleigh is a young, racially and ethnically balanced community. Economic diversity brings a unique blend of high-tech and low tech jobs for the most specialised technicians and engineers or the least skilled laborers. Raleigh is a superb location for prospective employees. Top quality schools and housing and all the amenities of a large city complimented by beautiful weather give Raleigh an attractiveness that few other locales can offer. It is no wonder that Raleigh employment has been the major reason that Raleigh is the fastest growing metropolitan area in the nation.
