Overall unemployment rate moved down to 3.2% with the biggest shift in Transportation & Utilities, which gained 2,100 roles, based on the most recently available information published in December 2022.
Total employment in the Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ market rose by 3,731 jobs in October and the unemployment rate decreased compared to the prior month by 10 bps to 3.2%. The national unemployment rate increased by 8 bps over the same time to 3.4%.
- Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ unemployment rate is 20 bps below the national rate which is a positive sign.
- Unemployment in the market is 210 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
- Average wages (per hour) grew in October versus prior month by 5.4% and are up compared to last year at this time in the market.
For key employment segments of the market, total jobs grew by 1.1% . Key sectors include:
- Transportation & Utilities: 97,000; +2,100
- Education & Healthcare: 76,700; +1,000
- Business Services: 51,600; +200
- Manufacturing: 41,500; no change
- Restaurants & Hotels: 40,000; +200
- Government: 39,600; +600
- Construction, Mining: 14,500; -200
- Financial Services: 14,200; +100
- Other Jobs: 14,100; +100
Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through October 2022 (Data published December 2022 and reports created on December 2, 2022). Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.
Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.