Overall unemployment rate moved down to 4.8% with the biggest shift in Education & Healthcare, which gained 4,100 roles, based on the most recently available information published in April 2022.
Total employment in the Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ market rose by 4,739 jobs in February and the unemployment rate decreased compared to the prior month by 70 bps to 4.8%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 28 bps over the same time to 4.1%.
- Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ unemployment rate is 66 bps above the national rate which is a negative sign.
- Unemployment in the market is 310 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
- Average wages (per hour) declined in February versus prior month by -2.4% and are down compared to last year at this time in the market.
For key employment segments of the market, total jobs grew by 1.8% . Key sectors include:
- Transportation & Utilities: 93,500; -300
- Education & Healthcare: 77,100; +4,100
- Business Services: 50,300; +1,100
- Manufacturing: 40,700; +300
- Government: 39,000; +900
- Restaurants & Hotels: 32,200; +500
- Other Jobs: 14,000; +200
- Financial Services: 13,800; +100
- Construction, Mining: 13,100; -100
- IT & Development: 5,600; no change
Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through February 2022 (Data published April 2022 and reports created on April 6, 2022). Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.
Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.