HARRISBURG, PA — The Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry (L&I) has reported that the state’s unemployment rate held steady at 3.8 percent in March 2025, remaining below the national unemployment rate, which increased to 4.2 percent. Over the past year, the state’s unemployment rate rose slightly by 0.2 percentage points, while the U.S. rate rose by 0.3 percentage points.
Pennsylvania’s civilian labor force saw a modest increase of 3,000 in March, reaching 6,542,000 residents. This growth was driven by a rise in unemployment of 4,000 individuals, reflecting a slight expansion in the number of people actively seeking jobs in the Commonwealth.
The report marked significant milestones in Pennsylvania’s nonfarm job market, which achieved a new record high of 6,217,700 jobs, adding 20,900 positions in March. Gains were recorded in seven of the state’s 11 industry supersectors, with education and health services and leisure and hospitality sectors each contributing 6,500 jobs. Education and health services, alongside other services, reached all-time high employment levels during the month.
Over the past year, Pennsylvania added 86,700 nonfarm jobs, with education and health services leading the way by contributing 48,500 positions since March 2024.
March’s employment data underscores Pennsylvania’s continued resilience and growth in key sectors despite national economic pressures. As the Commonwealth moves forward, expanding workforce opportunities and maintaining steady progress across industries remain cornerstones of its economic strategy. Finalized employment figures for March are expected to be shared in the coming weeks.
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