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WILKES-BARRE —Pennsylvania’s unemployment rate remained its lowest since 2000 and jobs in the state reached an all-time high, according to October’s report from the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry.
The state’s unemployment rate of 4.1 percent was unchanged from September and remained the lowest rate since July 2000. Pennsylvania’s rate is down seven-tenths of a percentage point from October 2017.
Some other highlights from the report:
• The estimated number of Pennsylvania residents working or looking for work — known as the civilian labor force — was up 23,000 over the month.
• The number of employed Pennsylvanians rose by 21,000 to a record high of 6,155,000.
• The number of unemployed residents was up 3,000 from September, but down 44,000 from last October.
• The estimated number of jobs in Pennsylvania — referred to as total non-farm jobs — also reached an all-time high of 6,063,400 in October, up 18,500.
• Jobs increased in eight of the 11 industry super-sectors over the month.
• Professional and business service positions and education and health service jobs rose to record highs.
• Education and health services had the largest monthly gain, up 5,900.
Over the past 12 months, jobs increased 1.5 percent in the commonwealth, with gains in nine of the 11 super-sectors. Education and health services had the largest volume 12-month gain. Nationally, jobs were up 1.7 percent during this period.
For more: www.dli.pa.gov.