Pennsylvania’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate declined by four-tenths of a percentage point in January to 6.4 percent. Pennsylvania’s rate was two-tenths of a percentage point below the U.S. rate (6.6%). January’s rate was the lowest unemployment rate for the commonwealth since November 2008, when the rate was 6.2 percent. The state rate was down 1.4 percentage points from its January 2013 rate of 7.8 percent.

Pennsylvania’s civilian labor force – the number of people working or looking for work –was down 8,000 in January to 6,416,000. Resident employment was up 15,000 to 6,005,000, and the number of unemployed residents fell 23,000 to 411,000. Pennsylvania’s labor force was down by 74,000 over the year with employment up by 18,000 while unemployment declined by 92,000.

Total nonfarm jobs rose by 500 in January to 5,758,600. Private sector jobs were up by 1,700, while government jobs declined by 1,200. The largest movements among the supersectors were a decline of 11,800 trade transportation & utilities jobs, and a gain of 7,500 construction jobs. Leisure & hospitality (+4,300) and education & health services (+4,000) both reached record high levels in January.

Over the year, total nonfarm jobs in Pennsylvania were up 28,400 (+0.5%). The growth was primarily within private service-providing industries. The largest gains were in leisure & hospitality (+16,900), and professional & business services (+12,200).

Note: The above data are seasonally adjusted. Seasonally adjusted data provide the most valid month-to-month comparison.

For detailed Current Labor Force Statistics olease see the original PA Department of Labor & Induustry News Release.