As part of its intelligENCe: Economic Insights and Trends research series, Invest Greenville has released its 2026 Labor Trends Report, providing an in-depth look at workforce, employment, population, and industry trends shaping Greenville-Pitt County.
The report examines local labor market performance alongside North Carolina and national benchmarks, highlighting Greenville-Pitt County’s continued economic momentum and its position as a leading employment center in eastern North Carolina.
Supported by major workforce and educational institutions including East Carolina University and Pitt Community College, Greenville-Pitt County continues to build a skilled talent pipeline while experiencing employment growth across several key industries. The local labor market remains healthy, with Pitt County’s unemployment rate at 4.0%, its lowest level in more than 35 years, and a labor force participation rate of 62.8%, among the highest in the region.
“Back in 2022, when we were formulating our strategic plan, we studied the labor market and key industries extensively. We felt there was an opportunity to become a leading economic market among communities our size,” said Josh Lewis, president and CEO of Invest Greenville. “We set an ambitious 10-year goal to deliver a minimum of 9,000 net new jobs, with an aspirational goal of 11,000 by 2032. As of the end of 2025, approximately 6,000 net new jobs have been created in Greenville and Pitt County.”
Lewis added that much of that growth has been driven by sectors that play an important role in the region’s broader economy.
“A significant portion of these jobs have been produced by key sectors such as manufacturing, logistics, construction, professional services, and healthcare, which also drive additional job creation throughout supplier and service industries,” he said.
As eastern North Carolina’s primary employment hub, Greenville-Pitt County draws approximately 40,000 workers into the community for employment while continuing to support job creation across healthcare, manufacturing, logistics, construction, professional services, and other industries.
Key findings from the 2026 Labor Trends Report include:
Key industry sectors continue to outpace national employment growth averages.
Manufacturing employment is nearing a 20-year high.
Population forecasting tools project approximately 183,500 residents in 2026.
Pitt County’s unemployment rate stands at 4.0%, its lowest level in more than 35 years.
Pitt County maintains one of the region’s highest labor force participation rates at 62.8%.
Approximately 40,000 workers commute into Pitt County for employment opportunities.
Together, the findings illustrate a labor market that has expanded alongside Greenville-Pitt County’s broader population and economic growth while reinforcing the community’s role as a regional center for jobs and opportunity.
“We believe Greenville and Pitt County are well positioned to continue delivering economic and population growth in the years ahead,” Lewis said. “That momentum creates significant opportunities for businesses looking to grow, professionals building their careers, and families looking for a community where they can build a life.”
The 2026 Labor Trends Report is part of Invest Greenville’s intelligENCe: Economic Insights and Trends series, which provides data and analysis on the economic factors influencing Greenville-Pitt County’s competitiveness and growth.
The 2026 Labor Trends Report can be accessed on Invest Greenville’s website by clicking here. Previous intelligENCe: Economic Insights and Trends reports are also available in Invest Greenville’s research library.
Media Relations Contact:
Maria Satira Vice President, Marketing and Talent Programming Invest Greenville satira@investgreenvillenc.com 252-414-2875
