HARRISBURG – The February employment statistics released today by the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry indicate that the state’s unemployment rate dropped one-tenth of a percentage point to 8.1 in February.
Unemployment decreased 5,000 over the month to 532,000. This was the second largest decrease of the past twelve months and the fourth largest since January 2011.
Total nonfarm jobs rose by 600 in February to 5,747,100. This was the seventh consecutive monthly gain.
“We continue to see job growth in Pennsylvania,” said Labor & Industry Secretary Julia Heathway. “A particularly positive sign is the February gain in manufacturing, which added 4,400 jobs.”
Total nonfarm jobs were up 16,500 from a year ago. Pennsylvania’s over-the-year job growth was most pronounced in the private sector. The largest gains were in professional and business services with 11,900 jobs added and education and health services with a gain of 8,100.
Note: The above data are seasonally adjusted. Seasonally adjusted data provide the most valid month-to-month comparison.
