Pa.’s unemployment rate dropped in December

By: Cassie Miller - January 21, 2022 3:06 pm

Stock photo by Juanmonino/Getty Images

Pennsylvania’s unemployment rate dropped to 5.4 percent in December, according to state data released Friday.

Department of Labor & Industry data confirmed that the commonwealth’s December 2021 unemployment rate is 1.7 percentage points below its December 2020 level, and three-tenths of a percentage point below its November 2021 level.

Nationally, the unemployment rate decreased by 2.8 percentage points over the month to 3.9 percent.

Pennsylvania’s nonfarm jobs were up 14,300 over the month, totaling to more than 5.8 million in December.

The trade, transportation & utilities sector, which increased by 9,400 jobs, made up the largest share of the December gain, according to the department.

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Cassie Miller

A native Pennsylvanian, Cassie Miller worked for various publications across the Midstate before joining the team at the Pennsylvania Capital-Star. In her previous roles, she has covered everything from local sports to the financial services industry. Miller is currently pursuing her master’s degree in professional journalism at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. In addition to her role at the Capital-Star, Miller enjoys working on her independent zines, Dead Air and Infrared.