Overall unemployment rate moved up to 6.8% with the biggest shift in Restaurants & Hotels, which gained 1,300 roles, based on the most recently available information published in April 2021.

Total employment in the Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA market rose by 3,067 jobs in February and the unemployment rate increased compared to the prior month by 10 bps to 6.8%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 26 bps over the same time to 6.6%.

  • Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA unemployment rate is 25 bps above the national rate which is a negative sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 260 bps above the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a negative.
  • Average wages (per hour) grew in February versus prior month by 1.2% 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 February 2021

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs grew by 0.8% . Key sectors include:

  • Transportation & Utilities: 74,100; -800
  • Education & Healthcare: 59,500; +800
  • Government: 56,300; +900
  • Business Services: 48,500; +300
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 22,600; +1,300
  • Manufacturing: 21,000; -100
  • Financial Services: 20,600; +200
  • Other Jobs: 14,300; +100
  • Construction, Mining: 11,100; -200
  • IT & Development: 3,000; no change
Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA Unemployment by Industry February 2021

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through February 2021 (Data published April 2021 and reports created on April 9, 2021).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.