State’s jobless rate at 6-year low
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HARRISBURG – Pennsylvania’s jobless rate fell by three-tenths of a percentage point in October, as payrolls and the labor force grew.
The state Department of Labor & Industry reported Friday the seasonally adjusted rate in October was 5.4 percent, down from 5.7 percent in September – and way below 7.5 percent from October 2013.
Pennsylvania’s rate was last at 5.4 percent in 2008.
The U.S. rate is currently 5.8 percent.
In a survey of households, the department estimated the number of people working or looking for work rose by 15,000. Employment jumped by 32,000 to just above 6 million, while unemployment fell by 15,000 to 345,000.
A separate survey of employers found nonfarm payrolls grew by 12,600, inching above 5.8 million. The manufacturing, leisure and hospitality and trade, transportation and utilities sectors grew the most, while government and financial services payrolls fell.