Credit: PA Internet News Service
Pennsylvania’s unemployment rate edged down in January, matching the national figure as the state reached a new record for total nonfarm jobs, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry.
The one-tenth of a percentage point decrease to to 4.3% from December’s rate mirrored a similar one-tenth of a point dip in the U.S. unemployment rate.
Despite the monthly improvement, Pennsylvania’s rate remains two-tenths of a point higher than the 4.1% recorded in January 2025, according to the state.
By comparison, the national rate has climbed three-tenths of a point over the past year.
State data shows the civilian labor force, a measure of residents either employed or actively seeking work, rose by 12,000 in January to a total of 6,583,000.
The number of employed residents grew by 17,000, while the number of unemployed individuals fell by 5,000 compared to December.
Total nonfarm jobs in the commonwealth hit a record high of 6,201,900, an increase of 17,900 over the month. Job growth was seen in five of the 11 industry supersectors.
The education and health services sector led the gains, adding 10,000 positions to reach its own record high.
The construction sector also hit a record high in January. Over the past 12 months, Pennsylvania has added 35,500 jobs, with gains reported in seven of the 11 supersectors.
In Bucks County, the most recent federal data from December showed an unemployment rate of 3.3%, a decline from November,according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
According to state data, the top 10 employers in Bucks County are Giant Food Stores, the Central Bucks School District, the County of Bucks, Doylestown Hospital, Walmart, St. Mary Medical Center, Grand View Health, The Estée Lauder Companies, Pennsbury School District, and Wawa.
