Overall unemployment rate stayed flat at 7.9% with the biggest shift in Restaurants & Hotels, which gained 400 roles, based on the most recently available information published in September 2021.

Total employment in the Scranton--Wilkes-Barre--Hazleton, PA market declined by 1,625 jobs in August and the unemployment rate stayed flat. The national unemployment rate decreased by 38 bps over the same time to 5.3%.

  • Scranton--Wilkes-Barre--Hazleton, PA unemployment rate is 261 bps above the national rate which is a negative sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 330 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
  • Average wages (per hour) declined in August versus prior month by -0.3% and are down compared to last year at this time in the market.
Month over Month Unemployment Change
Year over Year Unemployment Change
Scranton--Wilkes-Barre--Hazleton, PA Unemployment August 2021

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs stayed flat. Key sectors include:

  • Transportation & Utilities: 63,000; -100
  • Education & Healthcare: 48,800; -100
  • Manufacturing: 27,500; +200
  • Government: 27,400; -100
  • Business Services: 26,000; -100
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 19,400; +400
  • Financial Services: 13,400; +100
  • Construction, Mining: 10,500; -300
  • Other Jobs: 8,000; +100
  • IT & Development: 2,600; no change
Scranton--Wilkes-Barre--Hazleton, PA Unemployment by Industry August 2021

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

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.