HARRISBURG, PA — The Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry has released its preliminary employment situation report for October 2024, revealing a steadfast unemployment rate of 3.4%. This marks the 13th consecutive month that the state’s unemployment rate has remained unchanged, setting a record for the longest streak since data collection began in 1976. This stability in Pennsylvania’s job market contrasts with the national unemployment rate, which remains higher at 4.1%.
The consistent state unemployment rate mirrors that of October 2023, demonstrating a year-over-year steadiness despite national fluctuations, where the U.S. rate increased by 0.3 percentage points over the same period.
In a notable shift, Pennsylvania’s civilian labor force—comprising individuals either employed or actively seeking employment—saw a reduction of 25,000, bringing the total to approximately 6.53 million. This decline was primarily driven by a decrease of 26,000 in resident employment.
The report also highlighted a slight decrease in nonfarm jobs, with a reduction of 1,400 positions from September’s peak, settling at 6,204,700 jobs in October. Despite this monthly dip, seven out of 11 industry supersectors experienced job growth. The professional & business services sector experienced the most significant decrease, shedding 4,500 jobs. Conversely, the leisure & hospitality and other services sectors reached record employment levels, indicating robust growth and market demand.
Over the past year, the state has witnessed an increase of 97,800 nonfarm jobs, with job expansions in eight supersectors. Education & health services emerged as the leading sector in terms of growth, adding 51,300 jobs, reflecting ongoing demand and investment in these critical areas.
These findings underscore the resilience of Pennsylvania’s labor market amidst broader economic challenges. The sustained unemployment rate, coupled with dynamic shifts across various sectors, indicates a complex employment landscape that continues to evolve.
For those seeking more detailed information, additional data and insights are available on the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry’s official website. It is important to note that the figures presented are based on seasonally adjusted data, which offers the most accurate month-to-month comparison, and the October 2024 data remain preliminary, subject to subsequent revisions.
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