Overall unemployment rate moved up to 9.7% with the biggest shift in Transportation & Utilities, which lost 3,600 roles, based on the most recently available information published in March 2021.

Total employment in the Scranton--Wilkes-Barre--Hazleton, PA market rose by 1,095 jobs in January and the unemployment rate increased compared to the prior month by 210 bps to 9.7%. The national unemployment rate increased by 31 bps over the same time to 6.8%.

  • Scranton--Wilkes-Barre--Hazleton, PA unemployment rate is 289 bps above the national rate which is a negative sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 340 bps above the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a negative.
  • Average wages (per hour) grew in January versus prior month by 1.9% 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 January 2021

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs declined by -2.9%. Key sectors include:

  • Transportation & Utilities: 63,400; -3,600
  • Education & Healthcare: 50,200; -1,100
  • Government: 27,400; -400
  • Manufacturing: 26,700; -500
  • Business Services: 24,500; -700
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 16,700; -100
  • Financial Services: 12,700; -100
  • Construction, Mining: 9,400; -600
  • Other Jobs: 7,500; -100
  • IT & Development: 2,500; no change
Scranton--Wilkes-Barre--Hazleton, PA Unemployment by Industry January 2021

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through January 2021 (Data published March 2021 and reports created on March 25, 2021).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.