Overall unemployment rate moved down to 6.3% with the biggest shift in Restaurants & Hotels, which gained 1,200 roles, based on the most recently available information published in June 2021.

Total employment in the Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ market declined by 1,207 jobs in April and the unemployment rate decreased compared to the prior month by 100 bps to 6.3%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 43 bps over the same time to 5.7%.

  • Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ unemployment rate is 55 bps above the national rate which is a negative sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 1,050 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
  • Average wages (per hour) grew in April versus prior month by 2% and are up compared to last year at this time in the market.
Month over Month Unemployment Change
Year over Year Unemployment Change
Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ Unemployment April 2021

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs grew by 0.5% . Key sectors include:

  • Transportation & Utilities: 86,300; -800
  • Education & Healthcare: 76,300; -100
  • Business Services: 46,000; -100
  • Government: 38,800; +400
  • Manufacturing: 38,300; +100
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 30,300; +1,200
  • Construction, Mining: 13,500; +900
  • Financial Services: 13,100; no change
  • Other Jobs: 12,800; +100
  • IT & Development: 4,700; +100
Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ Unemployment by Industry April 2021

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through April 2021 (Data published June 2021 and reports created on June 2, 2021).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.