HARRISBURG, PA — Pennsylvania’s unemployment rate held steady at 4.2 percent in December as the state closed out 2025 with job levels at a record high for the 20th straight month, according to preliminary data released by the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry.
The state’s jobless rate was unchanged from November but remained one-half percentage point higher than December 2024, when unemployment stood at 3.7 percent. Nationally, the U.S. unemployment rate edged down one-tenth of a percentage point to 4.4 percent in December, though it was still three-tenths higher than a year earlier.
Pennsylvania’s civilian labor force grew by 19,000 in December to 6,570,000, reflecting continued participation in the job market. Employment rose by 19,000 over the month, while the number of unemployed residents increased by 1,000.
Total nonfarm employment in the Commonwealth inched up by 300 jobs to 6,257,400 in December, extending a long-running streak of record highs. Job gains were reported in five of the state’s 11 industry supersectors.
Education and health services posted the largest monthly increase, adding 3,800 jobs to reach a new record level. Financial activities and professional and business services also climbed to record highs in December.
Over the year, Pennsylvania added 76,600 nonfarm jobs, with gains recorded in eight of the 11 industry supersectors, reflecting broad-based growth despite higher unemployment compared with last year.
All figures are seasonally adjusted, which state officials said provides the most accurate month-to-month comparison. The December 2025 employment data are preliminary and subject to revision.
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