HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Pennsylvania’s unemployment rate dropped in September for the second straight month, as payrolls hit a record high and the labor force tightened again.
The state Department of Labor and Industry said Friday that Pennsylvania’s unemployment rate was 4.8 percent last month, down one-tenth of a percentage point. The national rate was 4.2 percent in September.
A survey of households found that Pennsylvania’s civilian labor force shrank for the fourth straight month, this time by 15,000, after hitting a record high in May. Employment and unemployment were both down, as well.
A separate survey of employers showed seasonally adjusted non-farm payrolls rose by 10,300 in September to a record high above 5.97 million. The financial, construction and trade, transportation and utility sectors reported the most growth.
Friday’s figures are preliminary and could change.
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