Pennsylvania Unemployment Rate Rises in February

Pennsylvania (WHTM) — On Friday, March 24, the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry (L&I) released its February 2023 Jobs Report.

Pennsylvania’s unemployment rate rose a tenth of a percentage point to 4.4% in February, according to L&I. The US unemployment rate rose 0.2 percentage points from January to 3.6%.

L&I also noted that the unemployment rate was in line with the February 2022 unemployment rate, but that the national unemployment rate is down 0.2% for the year.

Many jobs were lost within the first two months during the pandemic. But as of January 2023, Pennsylvania has restored more than 100% of his lost 1.1 million jobs, according to L&I reports.

During that month, Pennsylvania was also looking for work. The number of residents working or looking for work increased by 8,000, due to increased employment and unemployment, according to L&I.

Nonfarm employment in Pennsylvania increased by 5,600 in a month, reaching a record high of 6,094,000 in February. Employment also increased in six of the 11 supersectors since January, with the biggest gains in leisure and hospitality. According to L&I, he saw an increase of more than 3,000 in the leisure and hospitality industry. Jobs in transportation and utilities continued to be at a high level, setting new records.

Over the past year, non-farm employment increased by 164,800 across all 11 supersectors, according to L&I. Education and health services recorded the highest volume for the year with 53,600. Her three other supersectors added 19,000 each.