Pennsylvania Unemployment

According to the BLS current population survey (CPS), the unemployment rate for Pennsylvania fell 0.3 percentage points in December 2011 to 7.6%. The state unemployment rate was 0.9 percentage points lower than the national rate for the month. The unemployment rate in Pennsylvania peaked in January 2010 at 8.8% and is now 1.2 percentage points lower. From a post peak low of 7.4% in May 2011, the unemployment rate has now grown by 0.2 percentage points. You can also see Pennsylvania unemployment compared to other states.

Unemployment Rate	December 2011	Month/Month	Year/Year
National	8.5%	-0.2	-0.9
Pennsylvania	7.6%	-0.3	-0.9

Note: All comparisons are made with December data as January state level unemployment data has not yet been released.

Unemployment Rate: Pennsylvania, National

Note: Recessions shown in gray

Pennsylvania Unemployed

The number of people unemployed in Pennsylvania peaked in March 2010 at 560,940. There are now 75,598 fewer people unemployed in the state. From a recent trough of 471,079 in May 2011, the number of unemployed has now grown by 14,263. Pennsylvania job growth data is also available.

Unemployed Persons	December 2011	Month/Month	Year/Year
Pennsylvania	485,342	-13,954	-49,939

Number of Unemployed Persons

Pennsylvania Unemployment History

Date	National Unemployment Rate	Pennsylvania Unemployment Rate	Pennsylvania Unemployed
January 2012	8.3%	—	—
December 2011	8.5%	7.6%	485,342
November 2011	8.7%	7.9%	499,296
October 2011	8.9%	8.1%	512,773
September 2011	9.0%	8.3%	523,852
August 2011	9.1%	8.2%	516,204
July 2011	9.1%	7.8%	494,395
June 2011	9.1%	7.6%	479,452
May 2011	9.0%	7.4%	471,079
April 2011	9.0%	7.5%	477,544
March 2011	8.9%	7.8%	495,367
February 2011	9.0%	8.0%	511,894
January 2011	9.1%	8.3%	524,569