Overall unemployment rate moved up to 4.5% with the biggest shift in Business Services, which gained 2,900 roles, based on the most recently available information published in September 2022.

Total employment in the Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD market rose by 2,499 jobs in August and the unemployment rate increased compared to the prior month by 10 bps to 4.5%. The national unemployment rate stayed flat over the same time period at 3.8%.

  • Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD unemployment rate is 71 bps above the national rate which is a negative 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 August versus prior month by 4.6% and are down compared to last year at this time in the market.
Month over Month Unemployment Change
Year over Year Unemployment Change
Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD Unemployment August 2022

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs stayed flat. Key sectors include:

  • Education & Healthcare: 653,700; +800
  • Transportation & Utilities: 547,100; +500
  • Business Services: 504,100; +2,900
  • Government: 309,000; no change
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 270,500; -2,700
  • Financial Services: 221,000; -600
  • Manufacturing: 180,100; -600
  • Construction, Mining: 123,500; -1,000
  • Other Jobs: 121,500; +300
  • IT & Development: 50,700; +200
Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD Unemployment by Industry August 2022

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through August 2022 (Data published September 2022 and reports created on September 28, 2022).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.