Overall unemployment rate moved up to 3.4% with the biggest shift in Restaurants & Hotels, which lost 2,000 roles, based on the most recently available information published in January 2022.
Total employment in the Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ market declined by 7,002 jobs in November and the unemployment rate increased compared to the prior month by 20 bps to 3.4%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 4 bps over the same time to 3.4%.
- Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ unemployment rate is 4 bps above the national rate which is a negative sign.
- Unemployment in the market is 140 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
- Average wages (per hour) grew in November versus prior month by 6.4% and are up compared to last year at this time in the market.
For key employment segments of the market, total jobs grew by 0.2% . Key sectors include:
- Transportation & Utilities: 98,500; +1,500
- Education & Healthcare: 76,900; +200
- Business Services: 52,000; +400
- Manufacturing: 41,800; +300
- Government: 39,800; +200
- Restaurants & Hotels: 38,200; -2,000
Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through November 2022 (Data published January 2022 and reports created on January 3, 2022). Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.
Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.