Overall unemployment rate moved up to 8.9% with the biggest shift in Government, which lost 300 roles, based on the most recently available information published in December 2022.

Total employment in the Ponce, PR market rose by 91,630 jobs in October and the unemployment rate increased compared to the prior month by 890 bps to 8.9%. The national unemployment rate increased by 8 bps over the same time to 3.4%.

  • Ponce, PR unemployment rate is 550 bps above the national rate which is a negative sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is equal to the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time.
  • Average wages (per hour) grew in October versus prior month by 11.2% and are up compared to last year at this time in the market.
Month over Month Unemployment Change
Year over Year Unemployment Change
Ponce, PR Unemployment October 2022

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs declined by -0.2%. Key sectors include:

  • Government: 16,500; -300
  • Transportation & Utilities: 14,000; +200
  • Education & Healthcare: 11,600; no change
Ponce, PR Unemployment by Industry October 2022

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

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.