PA unemployment rises, but remains lower than national rate

Pennsylvania’s unemployment rate edged up in September for the second consecutive month.

The unemployment rate climbed one-tenth of a percentage point to 4.1 percent, according to preliminary data released this week by the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry.

The release of the September employment report was delayed due to a 43-day federal government shutdown that began Oct. 1, 2025. 

The state department noted that federal officials will not release October data, and the November data is now slated for a January 2026 release.

The state’s September rate was four-tenths of a point higher than the 3.7 percent recorded in September 2024. 

Nationally, the U.S. unemployment rate also rose by one-tenth of a point in September, reaching 4.4 percent. The national rate was three-tenths of a point above the September 2024 level.

Pennsylvania’s total nonfarm jobs increased for the 17th consecutive month, rising by 5,800 over the month to a record 6,252,900 in September. 

Six of the state’s 11 industry supersectors added jobs in September.

Education and health services recorded the largest increase, adding 2,500 jobs to also reach a new record high. Financial activities was the only other supersector to hit a record high in September.

The state’s civilian labor force, which includes both those working and those looking for work, grew by 1,000 to 6,531,000 in September. However, the number of employed residents fell by 6,000 from August, while the number of unemployed rose by 7,000.

For example, Bucks County’s unemployment rate for August, the last month available in federal records, was 4.3 percent.

As of the first quarter of 2025, Bucks County’s top 10 largest employers were Giant Food Stores, Central Bucks School District, Bucks County government, Doylestown Hospital, Walmart, St. Mary Medical Center, Grand View Health, the Pennsbury School District, ELC Beauty, and the Council Rock School District.