PA's October Unemployment Rate At 7.3%, Down 1% Since September; Labor Force Down 75,000

On November 20, the Department of Labor and Industry reported Pennsylvania’s unemployment rate was down 1.0 percentage point over the month to 7.3 percent in October. The national rate also fell one percentage point from its September level to 6.9 percent. 

The Commonwealth’s unemployment rate was 2.7 percentage points above the October 2019 level while the national rate was up 3.3 points over the year.  

Pennsylvania’s civilian labor force decreased 75,000 over the month due to declines in both employment (the number of residents working) and unemployment (those who are jobless and looking for work). 

Pennsylvania’s total nonfarm jobs were up 18,800 over the month to 5,622,100 in October. Jobs increased in 8 of the 11 industry supersectors. The largest monthly volume gain was in trade, transportation, and utilities, up 7,300 jobs. 

Over the past six months, Pennsylvania has recovered 56.3 percent of the total nonfarm jobs lost in March and April. 

Over the year, total nonfarm jobs in Pennsylvania were down 455,900 (-7.5%) with declines in 10 of the 11 supersectors. The largest 12-month change among supersectors was a decline of 142,200 jobs in leisure & hospitality. 

[Posted: November 20, 2020]