RALEIGH, N.C. — RALEIGH, N.C. - A net 22 percent of North Carolina employers expect to hire additional employees in the next quarter, according to the latest Manpower Employment Outlook Survey.

While numbers are lower in Raleigh (7 percent) and Durham (13 percent), employment prospects are strong in Charlotte (40 percent of companies plan to boost hiring), Rocky Mount (47 percent) and Wilmington (50 percent).

Nationally, a net 25 percent of firms surveyed said they planned to add workers.

In Georgia, a net 26 percent of firms plan to add workers. Hottest markets are Savannah (43 percent) and Macon (31 percent). Overall, 22 percent of Atlanta firms plan to increase jobs.

In South Carolina, a net 26 percent of companies plan to hire workers. Anderson (42 percent), Greenville (40 percent) and Columbia (36 percent) are the hottest markets.

Manpower described Raleigh-area hiring plans as "conservative" for the third quarter, which runs July through September. The survey reported that no companies planned to reduce payrolls, according to spokesperson Jeff Stocks.

"Raleigh area employers have slightly stronger hiring intentions than in the second quarter when 7 percent of the companies interviewed intended to add staff, and 3 percent planned to reduce headcount," said Stocks. "Employers are much less positive about hiring than they were a year ago when 53 percent of companies surveyed thought employment increases were likely and 10 percent intended to cut back."

Job prospects are best in construction and non-durable goods manufacturing, Manpower said.

"Atlanta area employers have weaker hiring intentions than in the second quarter when 29 percent of the companies interviewed intended to add staff, and none planned to reduce headcount," Manpower reported. "Hiring plans are identical to those reported a year ago when 22 percent of companies surveyed thought employment increases were likely and none intended to cut back."

Manpower survey results for net plans to increasing hiring in North Carolina by market:

Asheville, 17

Catawba County, 13

Charlotte, 40

Durham, 13

Fayetteville, 7

Gastonia, 24

Greensboro, 27

Greenville, 27

High Point, 17

Raleigh, 7

Rocky Mount, 47

Shelby, 10

Wilmington, 50

Winston-Salem, 3

North Carolina, 22

Overall hiring plans in Georgia:

Albany, 10

Athens, 27

Atlanta, 22

Augusta, 24

Columbus. 23

Macon, 31

Savannah, 43

Georgia, 26

Overall hiring plans in South Carolina:

Aiken, 20

Anderson, 42

Columbia, 36

Florence, 20

Greenville, 40

Greenwood, 20

Hartsville, 30

Laurens County, 20

Myrtle Beach, 23

Spartanburg, 10

South Carolina, 26

For more study details, see

www.manpower.com