Overall unemployment rate moved down to 3.0% with the biggest shift in Restaurants & Hotels, which gained 700 roles, based on the most recently available information published in May 2023.

Total employment in the Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA market rose by 1,942 jobs in March and the unemployment rate decreased compared to the prior month by 80 bps to 3.0%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 27 bps over the same time to 3.6%.

  • Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA unemployment rate is 62 bps below the national rate which is a positive sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 60 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 2.1% 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 March 2023

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs grew by 0.5% . Key sectors include:

  • Transportation & Utilities: 80,300; +100
  • Education & Healthcare: 67,400; +200
  • Government: 57,100; +200
  • Business Services: 52,600; +400
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 29,500; +700
  • Manufacturing: 22,400; no change
  • Financial Services: 19,100; no change
  • Other Jobs: 15,700; no change
  • Construction, Mining: 11,900; +300
  • IT & Development: 3,400; no change
Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA Unemployment by Industry March 2023

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.