Overall unemployment rate moved down to 3.4% with the biggest shift in Government, which gained 17,700 roles, based on the most recently available information published in November 2022.

Total employment in the Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD market rose by 22,022 jobs in September and the unemployment rate decreased compared to the prior month by 110 bps to 3.4%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 47 bps over the same time to 3.3%.

  • Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD unemployment rate is 8 bps above the national rate which is a negative sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 220 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
  • Average wages (per hour) grew in September versus prior month by 5.1% and are up 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 September 2022

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs grew by 0.3% . Key sectors include:

  • Education & Healthcare: 668,100; +12,200
  • Transportation & Utilities: 546,100; -400
  • Business Services: 497,000; -4,000
  • Government: 325,200; +17,700
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 259,500; -13,500
  • Financial Services: 219,900; -1,100
  • Manufacturing: 180,300; +200
  • Construction, Mining: 124,200; -300
  • Other Jobs: 118,700; -1,900
  • IT & Development: 50,100; -300
Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD Unemployment by Industry September 2022

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through September 2022 (Data published November 2022 and reports created on November 2, 2022).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.