Pennsylvania’s unemployment rate increased slightly in the month of December.
The Department of Labor and Industry reports the state’s unemployment rate went up on-tenth of a point to 3.6 percent last month. It remained well under the national unemployment rate of 4.1 percent, which was down one-tenth of a point.
Last year at this time, Pennsylvania’s unemployment rate was 3.4 percent, marking an uptick of two-tenths of a point.
Pennsylvania’s civilian labor force, which estimates the number of people working or looking for work, went down 17,000 over the month to 6.49 million. Resident employment took the biggest hit as it was down 23,000 in December, while unemployment rose 6,000 over the month.
Total non-farm jobs were up 13,700 over the month, setting an all-time high at 6,229,800 in December. Jobs increased in 10 of the 11 industry super sectors, with the largest movement coming from education and health services, which saw a spike of 5,300. That category, along with leisure & hospitality and other services, also reached record highs.
Countywide data will be released at the end of the month.
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