Overall unemployment rate moved down to 4.4% with the biggest shift in Transportation & Utilities, which gained 3,400 roles, based on the most recently available information published in December 2021.
Total employment in the Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ market rose by 499 jobs in November and the unemployment rate decreased compared to the prior month by 60 bps to 4.4%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 37 bps over the same time to 3.9%.
- Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ unemployment rate is 51 bps above the national rate which is a negative sign.
- Unemployment in the market is 220 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
- Average wages (per hour) declined in November versus prior month by -1.1% and are down compared to last year at this time in the market.
For key employment segments of the market, total jobs grew by 0.8% . Key sectors include:
- Transportation & Utilities: 94,200; +3,400
- Education & Healthcare: 77,500; -100
- Business Services: 49,500; +1,100
- Government: 40,000; +200
- Manufacturing: 39,800; +100
- Restaurants & Hotels: 32,300; -1,500
- Construction, Mining: 13,600; -200
- Financial Services: 13,200; +100
- Other Jobs: 12,900; no change
- IT & Development: 4,800; -100
Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through November 2021 (Data published December 2021 and reports created on January 6, 2021). Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.
Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.