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Pennsylvania’s unemployment rate of 4.2% in December was unchanged and remains below the national average. TIPPAPATT/GETTY IMAGES
Pa. unemployment rate remains below U.S. average
Pennsylvania’s unemployment rate of 4.2% in December was unchanged and remains below the national average.
The Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry reported that the commonwealth’s unemployment percentage remained at or below the national average for the 31st consecutive month, dating to May 2023. Total nonfarm jobs in Pennsylvania reached a 20th consecutive record high.
Pennsylvania’s unemployment rate was one-half of a point above its December 2024 level of 3.7%, while the U.S. rate was up three-tenths from last December. The U.S. unemployment rate was down one-tenth of a percentage point from November to 4.4% in December.
Pennsylvania’s civilian labor force, which is the estimated number of residents working or looking for work, increased by 19,000 over the month to 6,570,000 in December. Employment was up 19,000 and unemployment rose 1,000 from November.
Pennsylvania’s total nonfarm jobs increased by 300 over the month to 6,257,400 in December, the 20th consecutive month at a record high. Jobs increased from November in five of the 11 industry supersectors. Education and health services saw the largest volume gain with an increase of 3,800 over the month to a record high. Also setting record highs in December were financial activities and professional and business services. Over the year, jobs increased by 76,600 with gains in eight of the 11 supersectors.
