Overall unemployment rate moved up to 5.8% with the biggest shift in Education & Healthcare, which lost 800 roles, based on the most recently available information published in September 2021.

Total employment in the Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA market rose by 2,421 jobs in July and the unemployment rate increased compared to the prior month by 30 bps to 5.8%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 43 bps over the same time to 5.7%.

  • Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA unemployment rate is 14 bps above the national rate which is a negative sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 570 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
  • Average wages (per hour) declined in July versus prior month by -1.7% 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 July 2021

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs grew by 0.1% . Key sectors include:

  • Transportation & Utilities: 73,700; +300
  • Education & Healthcare: 58,000; -800
  • Government: 55,700; -700
  • Business Services: 50,200; +700
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 29,900; +600
  • Manufacturing: 21,900; +200
  • Financial Services: 20,700; no change
  • Other Jobs: 14,700; +100
  • Construction, Mining: 12,700; no change
  • IT & Development: 3,200; +100
Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA Unemployment by Industry July 2021

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through July 2021 (Data published September 2021 and reports created on September 1, 2021).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.