Pennsylvania jobless rate sees biggest setback since 2009
HARRISBURG (AP) — Pennsylvania’s unemployment rate shot up in April for the biggest one-month increase since 2009. Payrolls also showed the biggest one-month drop since 2009.
The state Department of Labor and Industry said Friday that the jobless rate rose to 5.3 percent in April, up from 4.9 percent in March. The national rate was 5 percent in April. Meanwhile, a survey of employers found that seasonally adjusted non-farm payrolls dropped by about 16,900 jobs in April, after nearly hitting 5.9 million.
The figures are preliminary and could change.
The civilian labor force grew by 24,000. Employment dropped by 3,000 to remain above 6.1 million while unemployment grew by 27,000 to 344,000.
The leisure and hospitality services sector recorded the biggest drop, at nearly 6,000. The education and health services sector rose by nearly 6,000.