Overall unemployment rate moved down to 4.9% with the biggest shift in Transportation & Utilities, which gained 2,700 roles, based on the most recently available information published in December 2021.
Total employment in the Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ market rose by 7,332 jobs in October and the unemployment rate decreased compared to the prior month by 60 bps to 4.9%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 30 bps over the same time to 4.3%.
- Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ unemployment rate is 64 bps above the national rate which is a negative sign.
- Unemployment in the market is 140 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
- Average wages (per hour) grew in October versus prior month by 0.7% and are down compared to last year at this time in the market.
For key employment segments of the market, total jobs grew by 2.2% . Key sectors include:
- Transportation & Utilities: 90,600; +2,700
- Education & Healthcare: 77,800; +2,100
- Business Services: 48,400; +1,400
- Government: 39,800; +800
- Manufacturing: 39,300; +400
- Restaurants & Hotels: 33,800; +600
- Construction, Mining: 13,800; +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 October 2021 (Data published December 2021 and reports created on December 2, 2021). Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.
Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.