Overall unemployment rate moved up to 6.8% with the biggest shift in Transportation & Utilities, which lost 3,000 roles, based on the most recently available information published in March 2021.

Total employment in the Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA market declined by 7,295 jobs in January and the unemployment rate increased compared to the prior month by 150 bps to 6.8%. The national unemployment rate increased by 31 bps over the same time to 6.8%.

  • Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA unemployment rate is 1 bps below the national rate which is a positive 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 January versus prior month by 0.3% and are down compared to last year at this time in the market.
Month over Month Unemployment Change
Year over Year Unemployment Change
Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA Unemployment January 2021

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs declined by -1.9%. Key sectors include:

  • Transportation & Utilities: 74,800; -3,000
  • Education & Healthcare: 58,700; -100
  • Government: 55,100; -1,600
  • Business Services: 47,900; -200
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 21,200; -500
  • Manufacturing: 21,000; -200
  • Financial Services: 20,400; -100
  • Other Jobs: 14,200; no change
  • Construction, Mining: 11,100; -800
  • IT & Development: 3,000; no change
Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA Unemployment by Industry January 2021

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through January 2021 (Data published March 2021 and reports created on March 25, 2021).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.