Overall unemployment rate moved up to 4.6% with the biggest shift in Education & Healthcare, which gained 2,000 roles, based on the most recently available information published in April 2023.

Total employment in the Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ market rose by 17 jobs in February and the unemployment rate increased compared to the prior month by 10 bps to 4.6%. The national unemployment rate increased by 3 bps over the same time to 3.9%.

  • Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ unemployment rate is 71 bps above the national rate which is a negative sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 20 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
  • Average wages (per hour) grew in February versus prior month by 9.5% 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 February 2023

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs grew by 0.6% . Key sectors include:

  • Transportation & Utilities: 95,200; -100
  • Education & Healthcare: 82,300; +2,000
  • Business Services: 50,700; no change
  • Manufacturing: 41,100; +100
  • Government: 38,900; +800
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 33,200; -200
  • Other Jobs: 14,300; no change
  • Construction, Mining: 13,300; -100
  • Financial Services: 12,800; -100
  • IT & Development: 5,300; no change
Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ Unemployment by Industry February 2023

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through February 2023 (Data published April 2023 and reports created on April 10, 2023).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.