Erie, Pa. (WJET/WFXP/YourErie.com)-- The Pennsylvania unemployment rate slightly increased during the month of December while the number of non-farm jobs reached a record high level according to the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry's (L&I) monthly unemployment situation report.
On Jan. 19, L&I released their preliminary employment situation report for Dec. 2023 saying PA's employment rate increased slightly for the first time in months from 3.4 percent to 3.5 percent. L&I also said the national unemployment rate remained the same from December to January at 3.7 percent.
Over the last year, PA's unemployment rate is down almost a full percentage point from the December 2022 rate of 4.3 percent. The national rate was up from 3.5 percent last year at this time to 3.7 percent.
L&I also said the total number of non-farm jobs increased by 6,200 during December to a record high of 6,182,700 jobs marking the 11th record high of 2023. Five of 11 industry supersectors saw job levels increase to record highs.
Education & health services saw the largest increase with approximately 4,800 jobs added, another record high. Construction and financial activities also had job levels reach record-high levels in December.
During 2023, total nonfarm jobs were up 111,700 with nine out of 11 supersectors gaining jobs. Education and health services saw the largest increase with 58,400 jobs added.
A full statistical breakdown of L&I's report can be seen below.
