State, county job markets improve

The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for the Philadelphia-CamdenWilmington Metropolitan Statistical Area, or MSA, decreased one-tenth of a percentage point in October to 4.7 percent. The rate dropped fourtenths of a percentage point from last October. The Philadelphia and Pittsburgh MSAs tied for the 10th lowest rate among the state’s 18 MSAs. The Gettysburg MSA had the lowest rate at 3.4 percent, while the Johnstown MSA had the highest at 5.7 percent. The October seasonally adjusted unemployment rates for Pennsylvania and the nation each dropped one-tenth of a percentage point to 4.7 percent and 4.1 percent, respectively, over the month.

Of the 67 counties in the state, Chester County had the lowest unemployment rate in October at 3.3 percent, while Cameron County had the highest at 6.6 percent. Montgomery, Centre, and Cumberland counties tied for the third-lowest rate at 3.5 percent. Bucks County tied Lebanon County for the eighth-lowest rate at 3.9 percent. Delaware County had the 15th lowest rate at 4.2 percent and Philadelphia County, at 5.8 percent, had the 63rd lowest rate.

Seasonally adjusted total nonfarm jobs in the MSA increased 2,400 to 2,937,500 in October, a record high. Over the year, jobs were up 1.3 percent (+38,900), while statewide jobs rose 1.1 percent.

Looking at industry detail (not seasonally adjusted), education and health services had a seasonal gain of 16,400 jobs, the largest over-the-month increase

of any supersector. Leisure and hospitality had the largest decline losing

2,400, which was also seasonal in nature.

Over the year, education & health services added 15,500 jobs, followed closely by professional and business services, up 14,400.

STEVE HELBER — THE ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE The unemployment situation in Pennsylvania and the Philadelphia region continue to improve.