The Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry released its preliminary employment situation report for December 2021.

Pennsylvania’s unemployment rate was down three-tenths of a percentage point over the month to 5.4% in December. During that same time, the U.S. rate also fell three-tenths of a percentage point to 3.9%. Over the year, the commonwealth’s unemployment rate was 1.7 percentage points below its December 2020 level and the national rate was down 2.8 points.

Pennsylvania’s civilian labor force - the estimated number of residents working or looking for work - decreased 18,000 over the month.

Trade, transportation and utilities - which increased by 9,400 - made up the largest share of the December gain.

The next largest increase was a boost of 3,300 leisure and hospitality jobs. The largest volume drop from November was in professional and business services, down 4,100.