Overall unemployment rate moved down to 4.7% with the biggest shift in Restaurants & Hotels, which lost 300 roles, based on the most recently available information published in December 2021.

Total employment in the Altoona, PA market rose by 187 jobs in October and the unemployment rate decreased compared to the prior month by 30 bps to 4.7%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 30 bps over the same time to 4.3%.

  • Altoona, PA unemployment rate is 44 bps above the national rate which is a negative sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 70 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 9.5% and are equal compared to last year at this time in the market.
Month over Month Unemployment Change
Year over Year Unemployment Change
Altoona, PA Unemployment October 2021

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs stayed flat. Key sectors include:

  • Transportation & Utilities: 13,900; +200
  • Education & Healthcare: 12,400; +100
  • Government: 8,000; +100
  • Manufacturing: 6,500; no change
  • Business Services: 5,000; no change
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 4,700; -300
  • Construction, Mining: 2,700; -100
  • Other Jobs: 2,600; no change
  • Financial Services: 1,400; no change
  • IT & Development: 800; no change
Altoona, PA Unemployment by Industry October 2021

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.