Pennsylvania’s Unemployment Rate Declines to Record Low 4.0 Percent in May

Contact: Trevor Monk, dlipress@pa.gov

Total nonfarm jobs hits record high for fifth consecutive month

Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry (L&I) today released its preliminary employment situation report for May 2023.

Pennsylvania's unemployment rate declined one-tenth of a percentage point over the month to 4.0% in May, the lowest rate on record (back to January 1976). The U.S. unemployment rate rose three-tenths of a percentage point from April to 3.7%. The Commonwealth's unemployment rate was three-tenths of a percentage point below its May 2022 level, and the national rate was up one-tenth of a point over the year.

Pennsylvania's civilian labor force – the estimated number of residents working or looking for work – was up 1,000 over the month. Resident employment rose by 9,000 over the month and unemployment fell by 9,000. 

Pennsylvania's total nonfarm jobs were up 7,900 over the month to a new record high of 6,122,500 in May. This was the fifth month in a row that jobs have set a new all-time high level. Jobs increased from April in nine of the 11 industry supersectors with the largest gain in professional & business services (+3,700), which rose to a record high level. 

Over the year, total nonfarm jobs were up 151,500 with gains in all 11 supersectors. Education & health services (+47,800) had the largest volume over-the-year gain among supersectors.
Additional information is available on the L&I website at www.dli.pa.gov or by following us on FacebookTwitter, and LinkedIn.

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

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Note: A breakdown of Pennsylvania's employment statistics follows.


Current Labor Force Statistics
Seasonally Adjusted
(in thousands)
    Change fromChange from
 MayAprilMayApril 2023May 2022
 202320232022volumepercentvolumepercent
PA       
Civilian Labor Force6,5106,5096,49110.0%190.3%
Employment6,2516,2426,21390.1%380.6%
Unemployment259268279-9-3.3%-20-7.2%
Rate4.04.14.3-0.1-----0.3----
     
U.S.    
Civilian Labor Force166,818166,688164,2781300.1%2,5401.5%
Employment160,721161,031158,299-310-0.2%2,4221.5%
Unemployment6,0975,6575,9794407.8%1182.0%
Rate3.73.43.60.3----0.1----
Note: June 2023 labor force and nonfarm jobs statistics will be released on July 21st, 2023.


Pennsylvania Nonagricultural Wage and Salary Employment
Seasonally Adjusted
(in thousands)
Change fromChange from
MayAprilMayApril 2023May 2022
 202320232022volumepercentvolumepercent
Total Nonfarm Jobs6,122.56,114.65,971.07.90.1%151.52.5%
 
Goods Producing Industries853.5855.3843.8-1.8-0.2%9.71.1%
  Mining & Logging23.323.122.20.20.9%1.15.0%
  Construction263.9265.3258.5-1.4-0.5%5.42.1%
  Manufacturing566.3566.9563.1-0.6-0.1%3.20.6%
Service Providing Industries5,269.05,259.35,127.29.70.2%141.82.8%
  Trade, Transportation & Utilities1,157.81,155.21,143.32.60.2%14.51.3%
  Information96.796.692.80.10.1%3.94.2%
  Financial Activities340.7340.3333.40.40.1%7.32.2%
  Professional & Business Services866.0862.3842.63.70.4%23.42.8%
  Education & Health Services1,304.21,303.41,256.40.80.1%47.83.8%
  Leisure & Hospitality562.6562.5533.20.10.0%29.45.5%
  Other Services255.4254.2248.51.20.5%6.92.8%
  Government685.6684.8677.00.80.1%8.61.3%
For a more detailed breakdown of seasonally adjusted jobs data at the sector level, please contact the Center for Workforce Information & Analysis at 1-877-4WF-DATA, or visit www.paworkstats.pa.gov
Note: June 2023 labor force and nonfarm jobs statistics will be released on July 21st, 2023.


DLI Media Contact Details

L&I Press Inquiries

Department of Labor and Industry Media

Trevor Monk

Press Secretary
Department of Labor and Industry Media

Kate Loyd

Digital Director
Department of Labor and Industry Media