Overall unemployment rate moved down to 5.5% with the biggest shift in Government, which gained 4,500 roles, based on the most recently available information published in November 2021.
Total employment in the Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ market rose by 3,709 jobs in September and the unemployment rate decreased compared to the prior month by 120 bps to 5.5%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 72 bps over the same time to 4.6%.
- Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ unemployment rate is 94 bps above the national rate which is a negative sign.
- Unemployment in the market is 150 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
- Average wages (per hour) grew in September versus prior month by 2.5% and are up compared to last year at this time in the market.
For key employment segments of the market, total jobs grew by 1.6% . Key sectors include:
- Transportation & Utilities: 88,800; +2,100
- Education & Healthcare: 75,600; +1,700
- Business Services: 47,000; -500
- Government: 39,000; +4,500
- Manufacturing: 38,800; -300
- Restaurants & Hotels: 32,900; -1,400
- Construction, Mining: 13,700; no change
- Financial Services: 13,300; -100
- Other Jobs: 12,900; -300
- IT & Development: 4,900; no change
Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through September 2021 (Data published November 2021 and reports created on November 3, 2021). Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.
Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.