Overall unemployment rate moved down to 4.0% with the biggest shift in Transportation & Utilities, which gained 1,700 roles, based on the most recently available information published in February 2022.
Total employment in the Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ market declined by 2,538 jobs in December and the unemployment rate decreased compared to the prior month by 50 bps to 4.0%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 20 bps over the same time to 3.7%.
- Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ unemployment rate is 31 bps above the national rate which is a negative sign.
- Unemployment in the market is 260 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
- Average wages (per hour) declined in December versus prior month by -2.9% and are up compared to last year at this time in the market.
For key employment segments of the market, total jobs grew by 0.2% . Key sectors include:
- Transportation & Utilities: 95,800; +1,700
- Education & Healthcare: 76,300; -1,200
- Business Services: 49,200; -200
- Manufacturing: 40,000; +300
- Government: 39,800; -200
- Restaurants & Hotels: 32,600; +200
- Construction, Mining: 13,400; -200
- Financial Services: 13,300; no change
- Other Jobs: 13,000; +100
- IT & Development: 4,900; +100
Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through December 2021 (Data published February 2022 and reports created on February 4, 2022). Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.
Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.