Overall unemployment rate moved down to 6.1% with the biggest shift in Restaurants & Hotels, which gained 1,500 roles, based on the most recently available information published in April 2021.

Total employment in the Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA market rose by 751 jobs in March and the unemployment rate decreased compared to the prior month by 50 bps to 6.1%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 38 bps over the same time to 6.2%.

  • Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA unemployment rate is 8 bps below the national rate which is a positive sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 160 bps above the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a negative.
  • Average wages (per hour) declined in March versus prior month by -0.2% 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 March 2021

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

  • Transportation & Utilities: 73,400; -700
  • Education & Healthcare: 60,000; +400
  • Government: 56,800; +200
  • Business Services: 49,000; +400
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 24,000; +1,500
  • Manufacturing: 21,300; +200
  • Financial Services: 20,600; no change
  • Other Jobs: 14,400; +100
  • Construction, Mining: 11,500; +400
  • IT & Development: 3,000; no change
Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA Unemployment by Industry March 2021

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

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.