Overall unemployment rate moved down to 4.6% with the biggest shift in Restaurants & Hotels, which lost 2,000 roles, based on the most recently available information published in November 2021.

Total employment in the Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA market declined by 1,249 jobs in September and the unemployment rate decreased compared to the prior month by 110 bps to 4.6%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 72 bps over the same time to 4.6%.

  • Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA unemployment rate is 4 bps above the national rate which is a negative sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 120 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
  • Average wages (per hour) declined in September versus prior month by -2.0% 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 September 2021

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs declined by -0.3%. Key sectors include:

  • Transportation & Utilities: 73,800; no change
  • Education & Healthcare: 58,800; +900
  • Government: 57,300; +1,200
  • Business Services: 49,300; -800
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 27,200; -2,000
  • Manufacturing: 22,100; no change
  • Financial Services: 20,600; -100
  • Other Jobs: 14,600; -100
  • Construction, Mining: 12,800; no change
  • IT & Development: 3,100; -100
Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA Unemployment by Industry September 2021

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through September 2021 (Data published November 2021 and reports created on November 3, 2021).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.