Overall unemployment rate stayed flat at 7.9% with the biggest shift in Transportation & Utilities, which gained 300 roles, based on the most recently available information published in June 2022.

Total employment in the Ponce, PR market declined by 761 jobs in May and the unemployment rate stayed flat. The national unemployment rate increased by 4 bps over the same time to 3.4%.

  • Ponce, PR unemployment rate is 452 bps above the national rate which is a negative sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 180 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
  • Average wages (per hour) grew in May versus prior month by 9.5% and are down compared to last year at this time in the market.
Month over Month Unemployment Change
Year over Year Unemployment Change
Ponce, PR Unemployment May 2022

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

  • Government: 16,700; -100
  • Transportation & Utilities: 13,800; +300
  • Education & Healthcare: 11,400; +100
  • Manufacturing: 9,300; no change
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 7,000; no change
  • Financial Services: 2,400; no change
  • Construction, Mining: 2,300; no change
  • IT & Development: 500; no change
Ponce, PR Unemployment by Industry May 2022

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through May 2022 (Data published June 2022 and reports created on June 29, 2022).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.