Pa.’s unemployment rate remains at 3.4% for 8th consecutive month

WILKES-BARRE — Pennsylvania’s unemployment rate remained unchanged over the month at 3.4% in May.

This was the eighth consecutive month at 3.4%. The U.S. unemployment rate rose by one-tenth of a percentage point from its April rate to 4.0%.

The labor force reached a record high at 6,605,000 — total nonfarm jobs set a record high for the 10th consecutive month.

The Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry (L&I) on Friday released its preliminary employment situation report for May 2024.

The Commonwealth’s unemployment rate was one-tenth of a percentage point above its May 2023 level of 3.3%, 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 up 9,000 over the month to a record high of 6,605,000 due entirely to growth in resident employment which also rose to a record high in May.

Resident unemployment was unchanged from the April level.

Pennsylvania’s total nonfarm jobs were up 19,800 over the month to a record high of 6,167,700 — setting the tenth consecutive record high for Pennsylvania’s jobs count.

Jobs increased from April in nine of the 11 industry supersectors.

The largest movement over the month was a gain of 8,700 leisure & hospitality jobs.

Education & health services reached its 12th consecutive record high.

Over the year, total nonfarm jobs were up 97,100 with gains in six of the 11 supersectors.

Education & health services (+61,000) had the largest volume over-the-year gain among supersectors.

Note: The above data are seasonally adjusted. Seasonally adjusted data provide the most valid month-to-month comparison. May 2024 data are preliminary and subject to revision.