Overall unemployment rate moved down to 4.1% with the biggest shift in Restaurants & Hotels, which gained 800 roles, based on the most recently available information published in June 2022.

Total employment in the Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ market declined by 1,397 jobs in April and the unemployment rate decreased compared to the prior month by 40 bps to 4.1%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 42 bps over the same time to 3.3%.

  • Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ unemployment rate is 76 bps above the national rate which is a negative sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 250 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
  • Average wages (per hour) grew in April versus prior month by 0.6% and are up compared to last year at this time in the market.
Month over Month Unemployment Change
Year over Year Unemployment Change
Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ Unemployment April 2022

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs grew by 0.5% . Key sectors include:

  • Transportation & Utilities: 92,800; -100
  • Education & Healthcare: 75,700; -200
  • Business Services: 50,600; +500
  • Manufacturing: 41,000; +100
  • Government: 39,400; no change
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 34,600; +800
  • Construction, Mining: 14,000; +600
  • Financial Services: 14,000; +200
  • Other Jobs: 13,900; no change
  • IT & Development: 5,700; +100
Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ Unemployment by Industry April 2022

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through April 2022 (Data published June 2022 and reports created on June 1, 2022).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.