State jobless rate jumps to 5.1 percent
Pennsylvania’s unemployment rate in January rose for the first time in five months, to 5.1 percent, one-tenth of a point higher than December.
The state Department of Labor & Industry released its monthly report Friday, and despite the slight uptick, the numbers generally were favorable for the Keystone State. Its 5.1 figure was six-tenths of a point below the U.S. rate (5.7) for January and 1.2 points better than Pennsylvania’s figure in January 2014 (6.3).
The national number also rose 0.1 from December, but was down 0.9 points over the year.
The civilian labor force in Pennsylvania increased by 13,000 in January to 6,365,000. Resident employment rose 10,000 and unemployment was up 3,000.
Nonfarm jobs decreased 3,500 in January to 5,822,000, the first decline in seven months. Financial activities had the largest increase among industries (2,500), and education and health services had the biggest dropoff (7,300).
There was a 1.1 percent increase of nonfarm jobs over the year to 62,400, the vast majority coming in private industry.
The largest gains were trade, transportation and utilities; education and health services; and professional and business services. Of 11 supersectors, only two declined from a year ago – information and government.
The figures are seasonally adjusted, providing the most valid month-to-month comparison.