WILKES-BARRE — Pennsylvania’s unemployment rate rose to 4.2% in November, up one-tenth of a percentage point from September — the 30th consecutive month at or below the national average.
The U.S. unemployment rate, at 4.6%, was up two-tenths of a point over the same period.
The Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry (L&I) released its preliminary employment situation report for November 2025 on Wednesday. The delay in data is a direct result of the federal government shutdown that began Oct. 1, 2025. Due to the federal government shutdown, the October labor force data is not available.
The Commonwealth’s unemployment rate was one-half of a percentage point above the November 2024 level of 3.7%, while the U.S. rate was up four-tenths of a point from last November.
Pennsylvania’s civilian labor force — the estimated number of residents working or looking for work — was up 20,000 over two months to 6,551,000 in November.
Employment was up 13,000 from September, while unemployment rose 7,000.
Pennsylvania’s total non-farm jobs were up 3,500 over the month to 6,258,300 in November — the 19th consecutive month at a record high.
Jobs increased in five of the 11 industry super-sectors from October. The largest volume movement was in education & health services — up 2,700 over the month to a record high. Financial activities and leisure & hospitality also set record highs in November.
Over the year, jobs were up 97,600, with gains in nine of the 11 super-sectors.
Additional information is available at www.dli.pa.gov.
Note: The above data are seasonally adjusted. Seasonally adjusted data provide the most valid month-to-month comparison. November 2025 data are preliminary and subject to revision.
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Note: The data in this story is seasonally adjusted. Seasonally adjusted data provide the most valid month-to-month comparison. November 2025 data are preliminary and subject to revision.