Pennsylvania Unemployment

According to the BLS current population survey (CPS), the unemployment rate for Pennsylvania rose 0.2 percentage points in December 2019 to 4.5%. The state unemployment rate was 1.0 percentage points higher than the national rate for the month. The unemployment rate in Pennsylvania peaked in February 2010 at 8.8% and is now 4.3 percentage points lower. From a post peak low of 3.8% in April 2019, the unemployment rate has now grown by 0.7 percentage points. You can also see Pennsylvania unemployment compared to other states.

Unemployment Rate	December 2019	Month/Month	Year/Year
National	3.5%	0.0	-0.4
Pennsylvania	4.5%	+0.2	+0.3

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 560,494. There are now 267,819 fewer people unemployed in the state. From a recent trough of 246,401 in June 2019, the number of unemployed has now grown by 46,274. Pennsylvania job growth data is also available.

Unemployed Persons	December 2019	Month/Month	Year/Year
Pennsylvania	292,675	+10,787	+22,174

Number of Unemployed Persons

Pennsylvania Unemployment History

Date	National Unemployment Rate	Pennsylvania Unemployment Rate	Pennsylvania Unemployed
January 2020	3.6%	—	—
December 2019	3.5%	4.5%	292,675
November 2019	3.5%	4.3%	281,888
October 2019	3.6%	4.2%	271,518
September 2019	3.5%	4.0%	260,488
August 2019	3.7%	3.9%	254,881
July 2019	3.7%	3.9%	250,187
June 2019	3.7%	3.8%	246,401
May 2019	3.6%	3.8%	248,351
April 2019	3.6%	3.8%	248,680
March 2019	3.8%	3.9%	255,511
February 2019	3.8%	4.0%	260,718