Overall unemployment rate moved down to 4.7% with the biggest shift in Transportation & Utilities, which lost 500 roles, based on the most recently available information published in May 2023.

Total employment in the Scranton--Wilkes-Barre--Hazleton, PA market rose by 1,385 jobs in March and the unemployment rate decreased compared to the prior month by 90 bps to 4.7%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 27 bps over the same time to 3.6%.

  • Scranton--Wilkes-Barre--Hazleton, PA unemployment rate is 108 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 March versus prior month by 4.1% 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 March 2023

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

  • Transportation & Utilities: 68,400; -500
  • Education & Healthcare: 53,100; +200
  • Manufacturing: 29,700; no change
  • Business Services: 28,600; -100
  • Government: 28,600; +100
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 22,300; +500
  • Financial Services: 12,400; no change
  • Construction, Mining: 10,500; +200
  • Other Jobs: 8,500; +100
  • IT & Development: 2,900; -100
Scranton--Wilkes-Barre--Hazleton, PA Unemployment by Industry March 2023

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through March 2023 (Data published May 2023 and reports created on May 9,2023).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.