Overall unemployment rate stayed flat at 5.8% with the biggest shift in Restaurants & Hotels, which lost 800 roles, based on the most recently available information published in September 2021.

Total employment in the Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA market declined by 2,439 jobs in August and the unemployment rate stayed flat. The national unemployment rate decreased by 38 bps over the same time to 5.3%.

  • Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA unemployment rate is 51 bps above the national rate which is a negative sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 280 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
  • Average wages (per hour) declined in August versus prior month by -0.7% and are up compared to last year at this time in the market.
Month over Month Unemployment Change
Year over Year Unemployment Change
Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA Unemployment August 2021

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs declined by -0.3%. Key sectors include:

  • Transportation & Utilities: 73,700; -100
  • Education & Healthcare: 58,100; +100
  • Government: 55,900; +200
  • Business Services: 49,700; -400
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 29,000; -800
  • Manufacturing: 22,100; no change
  • Financial Services: 20,700; no change
  • Other Jobs: 14,700; no change
  • Construction, Mining: 12,700; no change
  • IT & Development: 3,200; no change
Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA Unemployment by Industry August 2021

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through August 2021 (Data published September 2021 and reports created on September 29, 2021).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.