Overall unemployment rate moved up to 3.7% with the biggest shift in Government, which lost 1,300 roles, based on the most recently available information published in March 2023.

Total employment in the Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA market declined by 4,454 jobs in January and the unemployment rate increased compared to the prior month by 90 bps to 3.7%. The national unemployment rate increased by 60 bps over the same time to 3.9%.

  • Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA unemployment rate is 16 bps below the national rate which is a positive sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 80 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
  • Average wages (per hour) grew in January versus prior month by 1.9% and are up compared to last year at this time in the market.
Month over Month Unemployment Change
Year over Year Unemployment Change
Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA Unemployment January 2023

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs declined by -1.2%. Key sectors include:

  • Transportation & Utilities: 82,300; -1,000
  • Education & Healthcare: 66,000; -100
  • Government: 55,700; -1,300
  • Business Services: 52,000; -600
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 28,500; -1,000
  • Manufacturing: 22,400; -300
  • Financial Services: 19,200; -100
  • Other Jobs: 15,600; no change
  • Construction, Mining: 11,700; -200
  • IT & Development: 3,500; +100
Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA Unemployment by Industry January 2023

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through January 2023 (Data published March 2023 and reports created on March 17, 2023).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.