Overall unemployment rate moved down to 7.3% with the biggest shift in Education & Healthcare, which gained 900 roles, based on the most recently available information published in April 2021.
Total employment in the Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ market rose by 1,125 jobs in March and the unemployment rate decreased compared to the prior month by 60 bps to 7.3%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 38 bps over the same time to 6.2%.
- Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ unemployment rate is 112 bps above the national rate which is a negative sign.
- Unemployment in the market is 180 bps above the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a negative.
- Average wages (per hour) grew in March versus prior month by 4.7% and are down compared to last year at this time in the market.
For key employment segments of the market, total jobs grew by 0.6% . Key sectors include:
- Transportation & Utilities: 87,000; -300
- Education & Healthcare: 76,300; +900
- Business Services: 46,100; no change
- Manufacturing: 38,300; +500
- Government: 38,200; +100
- Restaurants & Hotels: 29,300; +600
- Financial Services: 13,100; -100
- Other Jobs: 12,700; +100
- Construction, Mining: 12,400; +300
- IT & Development: 4,600; no change
Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through March 2021 (Data published April 2021 and reports created on April 29, 2021). Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.
Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.