The Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry recently released its preliminary employment situation report for November 2024.

The unemployment rate was up one-tenth of a percentage point over the month to 3.5% in November. It was the first unemployment rate change since October 2023.

Still, the state’s rate remained well under the U.S. unemployment rate, which was also up one-tenth of a point from its October level to 4.2%.

Pennsylvania’s civilian labor force — the estimated number of residents working or looking for work — was down 24,000 over the month to 6,507,000 in November. Resident employment (minus 28,000) drove the labor force decline, while unemployment was up 5,000 from October.

The state’s total nonfarm jobs were down 2,500 over the month from October’s record high to 6,205,000 in November.