March 24, 2017

Pennsylvania Unemployment Rate Declines To 5 Percent In February

The Department of Labor & Industry Friday reported Pennsylvania's unemployment rate was down two-tenths of a percentage point from January to 5.0 percent.
The Commonwealth's rate remained above that of the United States, which decreased one-tenth of a percentage point in February to 4.7 percent.
Over the year, the Pennsylvania unemployment rate declined by four-tenths of a percentage point.
The Associated Press Friday reported a 5-year revision in employment data now means Pennsylvania’s jobless rate is at a 7-year, post-recession low and payrolls are at record highs.  The AP also reported February employment hit a record high while the number of individuals unemployed drop to the lowest level since 2008.
L&I reported Pennsylvania's civilian labor force was down 6,000 over the month to 6,434,000. Resident employment increased by 7,000 while the unemployment count declined by 12,000. February was the sixth consecutive month that posted both an increase in employment and a decrease in unemployment.
Pennsylvania's nonfarm jobs count rose 12,500 to a record high of 5,941,600 in February. Seven of the eleven supersectors added jobs from January, led by education & health services (+9,600). The largest drop was in professional & business services (-6,100), which fell from a record high in January.
Over the year, total nonfarm jobs in Pennsylvania were up 1.3 percent (+74,000) while nationally jobs were up 1.7 percent. Seven supersectors added jobs from last February. The largest increase over the past 12 months was in education & health services (+41,500), while the largest decline was in manufacturing (-4,500).
NewsClip:
AP: PA Jobless Rate Hits 7-Year Low As Payrolls Rise