Pennsylvania's Employment Situation for November 2011

HARRISBURG, Pa., Dec. 15, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Pennsylvania's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 7.9 percent in November, down from 8.1 percent in October. Pennsylvania's unemployment rate was below the U.S. rate of 8.6 percent, and has been below the U.S. rate for 43 consecutive months, and at or below the U.S. rate for 61 consecutive months.

The state's unemployment rate was down 0.6 percentage points from November 2010.

Pennsylvania's seasonally adjusted civilian labor force – the number of people working or looking for work – was down 2,000 in November to 6,353,000. Resident employment was up 12,000 to 5,854,000, and the number of unemployed residents fell by 14,000 to 499,000. Pennsylvania's labor force was 31,000 above its November 2010 level.

Seasonally adjusted total nonfarm jobs in Pennsylvania were up 900 in November to 5,695,800. Goods-producing industries declined 1,600 due to drops in construction and manufacturing, while service providers were up 2,500 with the largest increases in trade, transportation & utilities (up 4,200) and education & health services (up 2,500). Mining & logging increased 400 to a record high of 33,800 jobs (data series began in 1990).

Pennsylvania's job count was up 51,000 (0.9 percent) over the year while national total nonfarm jobs were up 1.6 million (1.2 percent).

Media contact: Sean Yeakle, 717-787-7530

Editor's Note: A breakdown of Pennsylvania's employment statistics is available on the Department of Labor & Industry's website at www.dli.state.pa.us.

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry