Overall unemployment rate moved up to 5.6% with the biggest shift in Education & Healthcare, which gained 1,400 roles, based on the most recently available information published in April 2023.
Total employment in the Scranton--Wilkes-Barre--Hazleton, PA market rose by 154 jobs in February and the unemployment rate increased compared to the prior month by 10 bps to 5.6%. The national unemployment rate increased by 3 bps over the same time to 3.9%.
- Scranton--Wilkes-Barre--Hazleton, PA unemployment rate is 171 bps above the national rate which is a negative sign.
- Unemployment in the market is 50 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
- Average wages (per hour) grew in February versus prior month by 6.7% and are down compared to last year at this time in the market.
For key employment segments of the market, total jobs grew by 0.7% . Key sectors include:
- Transportation & Utilities: 69,000; -600
- Education & Healthcare: 52,800; +1,400
- Manufacturing: 29,600; -100
- Business Services: 28,700; +1,000
- Government: 28,500; +100
- Restaurants & Hotels: 21,900; +100
- Financial Services: 12,400; no change
- Construction, Mining: 10,400; -100
- Other Jobs: 8,400; +100
- IT & Development: 3,000; no change
Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through February 2023 (Data published April 2023 and reports created on April 10, 2023). Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.
Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.