Overall unemployment rate moved down to 4.9% with the biggest shift in Restaurants & Hotels, which gained 1,700 roles, based on the most recently available information published in June 2021.

Total employment in the Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA market rose by 1,335 jobs in May and the unemployment rate decreased compared to the prior month by 40 bps to 4.9%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 25 bps over the same time to 5.5%.

  • Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA unemployment rate is 60 bps below the national rate which is a positive sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 720 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
  • Average wages (per hour) grew in May versus prior month by 2.1% 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 May 2021

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs grew by 0.4% . Key sectors include:

  • Transportation & Utilities: 73,300; +100
  • Education & Healthcare: 60,000; +400
  • Government: 56,800; -500
  • Business Services: 48,500; -700
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 27,400; +1,700
  • Manufacturing: 21,900; +200
  • Financial Services: 20,800; +100
  • Other Jobs: 14,500; no change
  • Construction, Mining: 12,400; +200
  • IT & Development: 3,000; no change
Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA Unemployment by Industry May 2021

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through May 2021 (Data published June 2021 and reports created on June 30, 2021).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.