Overall unemployment rate moved down to 5.4% with the biggest shift in Manufacturing, which lost 300 roles, based on the most recently available information published in June 2021.

Total employment in the Altoona, PA market rose by 293 jobs in May and the unemployment rate decreased compared to the prior month by 60 bps to 5.4%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 25 bps over the same time to 5.5%.

  • Altoona, PA unemployment rate is 10 bps below the national rate which is a positive sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 830 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
  • Average wages (per hour) grew in May versus prior month by 0.4% and are down compared to last year at this time in the market.
Month over Month Unemployment Change
Year over Year Unemployment Change
Altoona, PA Unemployment May 2021

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs grew by 0.2% . Key sectors include:

  • Transportation & Utilities: 13,900; +100
  • Education & Healthcare: 12,500; +200
  • Government: 7,900; -100
  • Manufacturing: 6,500; -300
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 5,100; +300
  • Business Services: 4,800; -100
  • Construction, Mining: 2,900; no change
  • Other Jobs: 2,600; no change
  • Financial Services: 1,400; no change
  • IT & Development: 800; no change
Altoona, PA Unemployment by Industry May 2021

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through May 2021 (Data published June 2021 and reports created on June 30, 2021).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.