Scranton/Wilkes-Barre jobless rate decreases to 10.2%
Published: August 30, 2010
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The Scranton-Wilkes-Barre Metropolitan Statistical Area’s (MSA) seasonally adjusted unemployment rate fell one-tenth of a percentage point in June to 10.2 percent, the first over-the-month decrease since January of this year. Over the year, the unemployment rate was up 1.5 percentage points. The MSA, along with the Johnstown MSA, had the highest rate among Pennsylvania’s 14 MSAs, while State College had the lowest rate at 6.5 percent. Pennsylvania’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in June was unchanged at 9.2 percent while the national rate dropped two-tenths of a percentage point to 9.5 percent.
The Scranton-Wilkes-Barre MSA’s seasonally adjusted total nonfarm jobs decreased 1,700 to 252,400 in June.
Over the year, the area has shed 1,000 jobs.
- Mining, logging and construction jobs increased 300 in June as the start of summer led to more construction hiring.
- Trade, transportation & utilities, up 400, posted its fourth consecutive over-the-month increase. Much of the gain was due to the opening of the new Home Depot distribution center in Pittston Township.
- Health care & social assistance rose 200 to 42,900, the highest level in this sector on record.
- Government jobs decreased 600 this month. The drop was partially due to the end of the school year at local public schools, as well as a decline in federal government jobs as U.S. Census activity began to wind down.
