Pennsylvania’s unemployment rate was up one-tenth of a percentage point over the month to 3.8% in January. Still, the rate remained below the U.S. unemployment rate of 4%, which was down one-tenth of a point from its December level.

The state Department of Labor & Industry recently released its preliminary employment situation report for January. Also, as is standard practice every year at this time, L & I released annual revisions of prior years’ data.

The state’s unemployment rate in January was one-tenth of a percentage point above the January 2024 level of 3.7%, while the national rate was up three-tenths of a percentage point over the year.

Pennsylvania’s civilian labor force — the estimated number of residents working or looking for work — was down 6,000 over the month to 6,542,000 in January. Resident employment drove the decline, while unemployment rose over the month.

The state’s total nonfarm jobs were up 9,500 over the month to a record high 6,190,300 in January. Jobs increased from December in eight of the 11 industry supersectors. The largest supersector movement was a gain of 5,100 in education and health services. Education and health services and other services reached record high job levels in January.

Over the year, jobs were up 75,800, with gains in six of the 11 supersectors. Education and health services, at 40,700, had the largest volume over-the-year gain.

At the start of each year, the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics uses additional or revised information to adjust prior years’ monthly sample-based estimates.

Additionally, seasonal adjustment factors for historical labor force and nonfarm jobs data are updated.

That process for Pennsylvania’s civilian labor force and nonfarm jobs data through 2024 has been completed and is reflected in the analysis of January’s data.

Seasonally adjusted data provide the most valid month-to-month comparison. January numbers are preliminary and subject to revision.

Additional information is available on the L & I website at www.dli.pa.gov or by following the department on Facebook, X and LinkedIn.