Pennsylvania’s unemployment rate remains unchanged at 3.4% in January.

The Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry released its preliminary employment situation report for January 2024 on Friday. The U.S. unemployment rate also was unchanged from December, remaining at 3.7%.

Overall, the Commonwealth’s unemployment rate was four-tenths of a percentage point below its January 2023 level of 3.8%.

Pennsylvania’s civilian labor force (the estimated number of residents working or looking for work) was up 6,000 over the month due to a gain in resident employment, while unemployment was unchanged from December.

Pennsylvania’s total nonfarm jobs were up 14,800 over the month to a record high of 6,129,900. This was the sixth consecutive record high for the jobs count. Jobs increased from December in eight of the 11 industry supersectors with the largest gain in education and health services of more than 7,900 jobs, which rose to a record high.

Over the year, total nonfarm jobs were up 70,100 with gains in five of the 11 supersectors. Education and health services (more than 59,600 jobs) had the largest volume over-the-year gain among supersectors.

Note, the above data are seasonally adjusted. Seasonally adjusted data provide the most valid month-to-month comparison. January 2024 data are preliminary and subject to revision.