PA Unemployment Rate Drops, Matching Lowest Rate

October 24, 2022

A worker at a pizza shop in Pennsylvania.
Credit: PA Internet News Service

Pennsylvania’s unemployment rate dropped in September and it matched the lowest rate on record, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry.

Pennsylvania’s unemployment rate dropped one-tenth of a percentage point over August to 4.1 percent in September. The state’s unemployment rate was 1.7 percentage points below its September 2021 level.

The national unemployment rate was down two-tenths of a percentage point over the month to 3.5 percent and the national rate was down 1.2 percentage points since September 2021.

The estimated number of people working or searching for job in Pennsylvania increased by 1,000 throughout the course of the month. While resident unemployment decreased by 8,000 to 264,000, employment increased by 10,000 to 6,185,000.

“Pennsylvania’s unemployment rate dipping to 4.1 percent – which was last seen in April 2000 and is the lowest rate in records dating to 1976 – serves as a testament to Pennsylvanians’ resilience — their ability to bounce back from a crisis, provide for their families, and tackle the economic challenges of today and tomorrow,” Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry Secretary Jennifer Berrier said. “Despite near historic lows in unemployment, Pennsylvania faces a historically tight labor market. We must continue to invest in our workers and businesses to ensure Pennsylvania’s workforce system remains strong in the face of economic uncertainty.”

Federal government data shows that Bucks County’s unemployment rate slightly rose from 3.9 percent in July to 4 percent in August, the latest month that data is available on the county level.

In September 2022, employment levels in three supersectors statewide – trade, transportation, and utilities; information; and professional and business services – were higher than they were before to the pandemic.

Pennsylvania has recovered almost 91 percent of the employment lost in the pandemic period from April 2020 to September 2022, according to state data.