The Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry announced on Friday that the preliminary employment situation report for December 2022 showed the unemployment rate decreasing.
Advertisements
According to the report, the state’s unemployment rate was down one-tenth of a percentage point over the month to 3.9 percent, setting a new record low. The rate is also 1.6 percentage points lower than the December 2021 level.
The U.S. unemployment rate also fell one-tenth of a point over the month, falling to 3.5 percent.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics has released data showing that the unemployment rate in Bucks County for November – the most recent month for which data is available – was 3 percent. This marks a slight increase compared to the previous month.
Advertisements
Acting Secretary of Labor and Industry Nancy Walker said in a statement, “Pennsylvania’s new record low unemployment rate of 3.9 percent is encouraging. Pennsylvanians are reentering the workforce, launching new careers and pursuing jobs that sustain their families. Opportunity abounds today for Pennsylvania workers.”
The report also stated that the civilian labor force, which is the estimated number of residents working or looking for work, was up 9,000 over the month. The employment count rose by 11,000 and resident unemployment declined by 1,000. Additionally, the total nonfarm jobs in the state were up 17,000 over the month to 6,040,100 in December, with an increase in 9 of the 11 industry supersectors.
Advertisements
From April 2020 to December 2022, Pennsylvania has recovered approximately 95 percent of jobs lost in the first two months of the pandemic. Four supersectors – trade, transportation & utilities; information; professional and business services; and manufacturing – were above their pre-pandemic job levels in December 2022.
Report a correction via email | Editorial standards and policies
