PA Unemployment Rate Declines to 5.2% in January

HARRISBURG, Pa., March 10, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today, the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry released its employment situation report for January 2017.

Pennsylvania's unemployment rate was down two-tenths of a percentage point from December to 5.2 percent. The commonwealth's rate remained above that of the United States, which increased one-tenth of a percentage point in January to 4.8 percent. Over the year, the Pennsylvania unemployment rate declined by one-tenth of a percentage point.

Pennsylvania's civilian labor force was down 14,000 over the month to 6,440,000. Resident employment increased by 4,000 while the unemployment count declined by 19,000. January was the fifth consecutive month that posted both an increase in employment and a decrease in unemployment.

Total nonfarm jobs were up 15,300 to a record high of 5,931,600 in January. Seven of the eleven supersectors added jobs from December. The largest gain was in construction (+5,900), while the largest drop was in manufacturing (-2,700). Three supersectors – professional & business services, education & health services, and leisure & hospitality – reached record high job levels in January.

Over the year, total nonfarm jobs in Pennsylvania were up 70,300 (+1.2%). Seven supersectors added jobs from last January. The largest increase over the past twelve months was in education & health services (+39,500), while the largest decline was in manufacturing (-7,500).

Note: The above data are seasonally adjusted. Seasonally adjusted data provide the most valid month-to-month comparison.

Because the data included in each month's press release (primarily civilian labor force and nonfarm jobs data) are sample based, the data are subject to revisions.  Once each year, estimates are adjusted to new levels based on additional or revised information collected after the initial release of the data (called a benchmark).  Additionally, seasonal adjustment factors for historical labor force and nonfarm jobs data are updated each year.  Revisions to the civilian labor force and nonfarm jobs series through 2016 have been completed and are reflected in this January news release. For a complete set of benchmarked data, please contact the Center for Workforce Information & Analysis at 1-877-4WF-DATA, or visit www.workstats.dli.pa.gov.

MEDIA CONTACT: Sara Goulet, 717-787-7530

Editor's Note: A breakdown of Pennsylvania's employment statistics follows.

For a more detailed breakdown of seasonally adjusted jobs data at the sector level, please contact the Center for Workforce Information & Analysis at 1-877-4WF-DATA, or visit www.workstats.dli.pa.gov

Note: February 2017 labor force and nonfarm jobs statistics will be released March 24, 2017.

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry