WILKES-BARRE — Pennsylvania’s unemployment rate was unchanged over the month at 3.8% in February.
The Commonwealth’s rate remained below the U.S. unemployment rate, which rose one-tenth of a percentage point over the month to 4.1%.
The Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry (L&I) on Friday released its preliminary employment situation report for February 2025.
The Commonwealth’s unemployment rate was two-tenths of a percentage point above the February 2024 level of 3.6%, while the national rate was up four-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 3,000 over the month to 6,539,000 in February.
Resident employment (-5,000) drove the decline, while unemployment (+2,000) rose over the month.
Pennsylvania’s total non-farm jobs were down 1,000 over the month from January’s record high to 6,190,800 in February.
Jobs increased from January in five of the 11 industry super-sectors. The largest gain was an increase of 4,700 in education & health services which rose to a record high level in February.
Over the year, jobs were up 69,700 with gains in eight of the 11 super-sectors. Education & health services (+41,800) had the largest volume increase since last February.
Note: The above data are seasonally adjusted. Seasonally adjusted data provide the most valid month-to-month comparison. February 2025 data are preliminary and subject to revision.
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Reach Bill O’Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.