Overall unemployment rate moved down to 3.8% with the biggest shift in Restaurants & Hotels, which gained 900 roles, based on the most recently available information published in May 2023.
Total employment in the Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ market rose by 2,756 jobs in March and the unemployment rate decreased compared to the prior month by 80 bps to 3.8%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 27 bps over the same time to 3.6%.
- Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ unemployment rate is 18 bps above the national rate which is a negative sign.
- Unemployment in the market is 50 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
- Average wages (per hour) grew in March versus prior month by 8.1% and are down compared to last year at this time in the market.
Month over Month Unemployment Change
Year over Year Unemployment Change
For key employment segments of the market, total jobs grew by 0.5% . Key sectors include:
- Transportation & Utilities: 94,500; -700
- Education & Healthcare: 82,700; +400
- Business Services: 51,500; +700
- Manufacturing: 41,100; -100
- Government: 39,200; +300
- Restaurants & Hotels: 34,200; +900
- Other Jobs: 14,300; no change
- Construction, Mining: 13,600; +400
- Financial Services: 12,900; +100
- IT & Development: 5,300; no change
Employment Change by Key Sector
Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through March 2023 (Data published May 2023 and reports created on May 9,2023). Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.
Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.