Pennsylvania's unemployment rate was up one-tenth of a percentage point from April to 5.0 percent. This was the second monthly increase following four consecutive declines.
The Commonwealth's rate remained above that of the United States (4.3 percent), which decreased one-tenth of a percentage point in May.
Over the year, the Pennsylvania unemployment rate declined by one-half of a percentage point, while nationally the rate declined by four-tenths from last May.
Pennsylvania's civilian labor force was up 11,000 over the month to 6,475,000. Resident employment increased by 2,000 while the unemployment count expanded by 8,000.
Pennsylvania's nonfarm jobs count was down 4,000 to 5,921,700 in May.
Six of the eleven supersectors declined from April, with the largest drop in construction (-4,300). The largest gain was in leisure & hospitality, up 3,100 jobs. Professional & business services set a record high level in May while manufacturing declined to its lowest level since current records begin (January 1990).
Total nonfarm jobs in Pennsylvania were up 0.9 percent from May 2016 while nationally jobs were up 1.6 percent. Seven supersectors added jobs over the year. The largest increase over the past 12 months was in education & health services (+32,700), while the largest decline was in manufacturing (-11,500).
NewsClip: AP: PA Jobless Rate Rises For Second Straight Month
NewsClip: AP: PA Jobless Rate Rises For Second Straight Month
