Pennsylvania’s Unemployment Rate Drops to 7.9 Percent in March

state-news-bn-graphic1HARRISBURG – The state’s unemployment rate dropped two-tenths of a percentage point to 7.9 percent in March, according to employment statistics released by the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry.

Unemployment decreased 20,000 over the month to 512,000. This was the largest decrease in 30 years. Only July 1983 had a larger decrease.

Total nonfarm jobs declined by 5,900 in March to 5,742,300. Five supersectors showed gains in March, including an increase of 6,100 jobs in leisure and hospitality and 1,900 jobs in educational services.

Pennsylvania has added 112,800 private sector jobs to the economy since January 2011 with a current total of 5,024,500.

“Pennsylvania continues to see positive signs for our economy as we cautiously, but steadily, grow out of this recession,” saidJulia Hearthway, secretary of the Department of Labor & Industry.

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