Pennsylvania’s unemployment rate fell in November to 5.1 percent from October rate of 5.4 percent, putting the state well below the national rate of 5.8 percent.
The unemployment rate was the lowest it has been since October 2008.
Pennsylvania’s civilian labor force – the number of people working or looking for work – expanded by 5,000 in November. Resident employment was up 27,000 while unemployment was down 22,000.
Total nonfarm jobs were up by 200 to 5,798,300, the highest level since September 2008. Private sector jobs were essentially unchanged (-100). Among industries, the largest movement in November was an increase of 2,600 in construction. Financial activities had the largest decline.
Over the year, total nonfarm jobs in Pennsylvania were up 33,200 (+0.6%). The growth was almost entirely within private industries, with the largest gains in trade, transportation & utilities, construction, and other services. Only two supersectors declined from last November – information and government.
