WILKES-BARRE — Pennsylvania’s unemployment rate was up one-tenth of a percentage point over the month to 3.6% in December.
Still, the Commonwealth’s rate remained well under the U.S. unemployment rate of 4.1%, which was down one-tenth of a point from its November level.
The Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry (L&I) on Friday released its preliminary employment situation report for December 2024.
The Commonwealth’s unemployment rate was two-tenths of a percentage point above the December 2023 level of 3.4%, while the national rate was up three-tenths of a percentage point over the year.
Pennsylvania’s civilian labor force — the estimated number of residents working or looking for work — was down 17,000 over the month to 6,490,000 in December.
Resident employment (-23,000) drove the decline, while unemployment (+6,000) rose over the month.
Pennsylvania’s total nonfarm jobs were up 13,700 over the month to a record high 6,229,800 in December.
Jobs increased from November in 10 of the 11 industry supersectors. The largest supersector movement was a gain of 5,300 in education & health services. Education & health services, leisure & hospitality, and other services reached record high job levels in December.
Over the year, total nonfarm jobs were up 114,700 with gains in nine of the 11 supersectors. Education & health services (+51,600) had the largest volume over-the-year gain.
Note: The above data are seasonally adjusted. Seasonally adjusted data provide the most valid month-to-month comparison. December 2024 data are preliminary and subject to revision.
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