HARRISBURG, PA — Pennsylvania’s labor market kicked off 2024 on a high note, with the state’s unemployment rate holding steady at 3.4% in January while total nonfarm jobs reached a record high for the sixth consecutive month, according to preliminary data from the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry (L&I).
In a report that also included revisions to job data for the previous five years, L&I revealed that the state’s unemployment rate remained unchanged from December, remaining below the national average of 3.7%. This marks a drop of four-tenths of a percentage point from the same period last year, while the national rate saw an increase of three-tenths of a percentage point over the year.
The Commonwealth’s civilian labor force, defined as the estimated number of residents working or looking for work, increased by 6,000 over the month due to a rise in resident employment. In contrast, the number of unemployed residents was unchanged from December.
Meanwhile, Pennsylvania’s total nonfarm jobs, which account for all jobs in the economy excluding farm workers, self-employed workers, private household employees, and unpaid volunteers, swelled by 14,800 over the month to set a new record of 6,129,900. This surge represents the sixth straight month of record-breaking job growth for the state.
Education and health services sectors led the way with the most significant gain (+7,900), reaching a record high. Over the year, total nonfarm jobs were up 70,100, with gains in five of the 11 supersectors. The education and health services sectors again had the largest volume over-the-year gain among supersectors, adding 59,600 jobs.
These figures are seasonally adjusted, meaning they take into account regular seasonal patterns to provide the most valid month-to-month comparison. The January 2024 data are preliminary and subject to revision.
The annual revisions to jobs data, a standard practice conducted at the start of each year by the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), uses additional or revised information to adjust prior years’ monthly sample-based estimates. For Pennsylvania, this process has been completed for the state’s civilian labor force and nonfarm jobs data through 2023 and is reflected in the analysis of January’s preliminary data.
These positive employment trends spotlight Pennsylvania’s resilient economy and robust labor market, offering encouraging news for job seekers and businesses alike. As the state continues to rebound from the economic fallout of the pandemic, these figures illustrate a promising trajectory for Pennsylvania’s workforce and overall economic health.
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