HARRISBURG, Pa. — Pennsylvania’s unemployment rate dropped one-tenth of a percentage point over the month to 3.4% in September, setting a new record low, according to a preliminary report released Friday by the state Department of Labor & Industry.
September's unemployment rate was the lowest percentage ever recorded, dating back to January 1976, L&I said.
The U.S. unemployment rate was unchanged from August at 3.8%, L&I said. The Commonwealth’s unemployment rate was 0.9 percentage points below its September 2022 level of 4.3%, while the national rate was up three-tenths of a percentage point over the year.
Pennsylvania’s civilian labor force – the estimated number of residents working or looking for work – was down 2,000 over the month, L&I said in its report. Resident employment rose by 2,000 from August and unemployment fell by 4,000.
Pennsylvania’s total nonfarm jobs were up 8,300 over the month to a new record high of 6,171,600 in September, L&I said. This was the ninth consecutive month that jobs have set a new all-time high level. Jobs increased from August in eight of the 11 industry supersectors with the largest gain in education & health services (+6,100), which rose to a record high.
Three other supersectors also reached all-time highs in September, according to L&I.
Over the year, total nonfarm jobs were up 148,700 with gains in all 11 supersectors.
Education & health services (+54,900) had the largest volume over-the-year gain among supersectors.
For additional information about Pennsylvania's unemployment rate, visit the Department of Labor & Industry's website.
