Pennsylvania's unemployment rate was down two-tenths of a percentage point from December to 5.2 percent, the Department of Labor and Industry reported Friday.
The Commonwealth's rate remained above that of the United States, which increased one-tenth of a percentage point in January to 4.8 percent.
Pennsylvania's civilian labor force was down 14,000 over the month to 6,440,000. Resident employment increased by 4,000 while the unemployment count declined by 19,000. January was the fifth consecutive month that posted both an increase in employment and a decrease in unemployment.
Total nonfarm jobs were up 15,300 to a record high of 5,931,600 in January. Seven of the eleven supersectors added jobs from December. The largest gain was in construction (+5,900), while the largest drop was in manufacturing (-2,700). Three supersectors – professional & business services, education & health services, and leisure & hospitality – reached record high job levels in January.
Over the year, total nonfarm jobs in Pennsylvania were up 70,300 (+1.2%). Seven supersectors added jobs from last January. The largest increase over the past twelve months was in education & health services (+39,500), while the largest decline was in manufacturing (-7,500).
