Overall unemployment rate moved up to 5.5% with the biggest shift in Transportation & Utilities, which lost 2,300 roles, based on the most recently available information published in March 2023.
Total employment in the Scranton--Wilkes-Barre--Hazleton, PA market rose by 2,375 jobs in January and the unemployment rate increased compared to the prior month by 120 bps to 5.5%. The national unemployment rate increased by 60 bps over the same time to 3.9%.
- Scranton--Wilkes-Barre--Hazleton, PA unemployment rate is 164 bps above the national rate which is a negative sign.
- Unemployment in the market is 140 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
- Average wages (per hour) grew in January versus prior month by 6.5% and are up compared to last year at this time in the market.
For key employment segments of the market, total jobs declined by -2.0%. Key sectors include:
- Transportation & Utilities: 70,500; -2,300
- Education & Healthcare: 51,100; -1,400
- Manufacturing: 29,800; -200
- Government: 28,300; -300
- Business Services: 27,900; -500
- Restaurants & Hotels: 21,600; -500
- Financial Services: 12,400; -100
- Construction, Mining: 10,500; -200
- Other Jobs: 8,300; -100
- IT & Development: 3,000; +100
Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through January 2023 (Data published March 2023 and reports created on March 17, 2023). Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.
Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.