The unemployment rate for Pennsylvania went down once again.
The state department of Labor and Industry’s report for December showed that the unemployment rate went down a tenth of a percentage point over the month to 3.9%, which is a new record-low for Pennsylvania. The U.S. unemployment rate in December went down a tenth of a point as well to 3.5 percent.
The state’s civilian labor workforce, which is the number of residents working or looking for work, went up by 9,000 over the month. Total non-farm jobs were up 17,000 over the month to 6,040,100 in December. Jobs increased in nine of the 11 industry super sectors, with the largest gain seen in construction with 4,600.
In a statement, acting L&I secretary Nancy Walker said that the new unemployment rate is encouraging as more state residents are entering the workforce, going into new careers and pursuing family-sustaining jobs.
Unemployment statistics for Indiana County will be released later this month.
