Overall unemployment rate moved up to 5.7% with the biggest shift in Business Services, which gained 300 roles, based on the most recently available information published in September 2022.

Total employment in the Scranton--Wilkes-Barre--Hazleton, PA market rose by 422 jobs in August and the unemployment rate increased compared to the prior month by 20 bps to 5.7%. The national unemployment rate stayed flat over the same time period at 3.8%.

  • Scranton--Wilkes-Barre--Hazleton, PA unemployment rate is 191 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 August versus prior month by 4.8% and are down compared to last year at this time in the market.
Month over Month Unemployment Change
Year over Year Unemployment Change
Scranton--Wilkes-Barre--Hazleton, PA Unemployment August 2022

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

  • Transportation & Utilities: 70,300; +300
  • Education & Healthcare: 47,500; +200
  • Manufacturing: 28,900; -100
  • Business Services: 28,600; +300
  • Government: 26,800; -200
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 23,000; -100
  • Financial Services: 11,900; no change
  • Construction, Mining: 10,900; +100
  • Other Jobs: 8,200; no change
  • IT & Development: 2,900; no change
Scranton--Wilkes-Barre--Hazleton, PA 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.