Pennsylvania Unemployment Rate at 4.1 Percent in September, Marking 29th Month in a Row at or Below National Average

Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry (L&I) today released its preliminary employment situation report for September 2025. The delay in data is the direct result of the federal government shutdown that began October 1. 

From August, Pennsylvania’s unemployment rate was up one-tenth of a percentage point over the month to 4.1 percent in September. The U.S. unemployment rate of 4.4 percent was also up one-tenth of a point over the same time period.

The Commonwealth’s unemployment rate was four-tenths of a percentage point above the September 2024 level of 3.7 percent, while the US rate was up three-tenths of a point from last September.

Pennsylvania’s civilian labor force – the estimated number of residents working or looking for work – was up 1,000 over the month to 6,531,000 in September. Employment declined 6,000 from August while unemployment rose 7,000.

Pennsylvania’s total nonfarm jobs were up 5,800 over the month to 6,252,900 in September, the 17^th consecutive month at a record high. Jobs increased from August in six of the 11 industry supersectors. The largest volume movement was in education & health services, up 2,500 over the month to a record high. Financial activities also set a record high in September. Over the year, jobs were up 99,900 with gains in 10 of the 11 supersectors.

Additional information is available on the L&I website at www.dli.pa.gov or by following us on Facebook, X, and LinkedIn.

The above data are seasonally adjusted. Seasonally adjusted data provide the most valid month-to-month comparison. September 2025 data are preliminary and subject to revision.

Note: October 2025 unemployment data will not be released by the federal government; November 2025 data will be released in January 2026.

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