State jobless rate hits 4.8 pct., a seven-year low
HARRISBURG, Pa. — Pennsylvania’s unemployment rate fell to 4.8 percent in December, the first time it has been below 5.0 percent since March 2008.
The state Department of Labor and Industry released the seasonally adjusted figure Friday morning. That was the third consecutive month the rate droped by 0.3 points. It was 5.1 percent in November, 5.4 in October and 5.7 in Septyember.
The U.S. rate for December is 5.6 percent.
In a survey of households, the department estimates that the labor force — the number of people working or looking for work — fell by 1,000 to remain below its 2012 peak. Employment rose by 13,000, climbing closer to 6.1 million, while unemployment fell by 14,000 to 309,000.
A separate survey of employers found non-farm payrolls grew by about 8,000. At just above 5.8 million, payrolls remain below pre-recession levels.