Overall unemployment rate moved up to 7.8% with the biggest shift in Education & Healthcare, which gained 13,000 roles, based on the most recently available information published in April 2021.

Total employment in the Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD market rose by 37,448 jobs in February and the unemployment rate increased compared to the prior month by 10 bps to 7.8%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 26 bps over the same time to 6.6%.

  • Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD unemployment rate is 125 bps above the national rate which is a negative sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 330 bps above the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a negative.
  • Average wages (per hour) grew in February versus prior month by 6% and are up compared to last year at this time in the market.
Month over Month Unemployment Change
Year over Year Unemployment Change
Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD Unemployment February 2021

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs grew by 1.1% . Key sectors include:

  • Education & Healthcare: 639,500; +13,000
  • Transportation & Utilities: 504,300; -2,000
  • Business Services: 454,100; +5,100
  • Government: 328,000; +4,000
  • Financial Services: 215,900; +1,500
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 183,200; +5,800
  • Manufacturing: 172,200; +100
  • Construction, Mining: 111,600; +1,300
  • Other Jobs: 103,400; +300
  • IT & Development: 49,600; +500
Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD Unemployment by Industry February 2021

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through February 2021 (Data published April 2021 and reports created on April 9, 2021).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.