The Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry released its preliminary employment situation report for May 2026.
Pennsylvania’s unemployment rate was at 4.2 percent for the fourth month in a row in May. The PA rate remained one-tenth of a percentage point below the U.S. unemployment rate, which was also unchanged over the month at 4.3 percent.
The Commonwealth’s unemployment rate matched its May 2025 level of 4.2 percent. The United States’ rate was also unchanged over the past 12 months.
Pennsylvania’s civilian labor force — the estimated number of residents working or looking for work — was up 19,000 over the month to a record high 6,626,000 in May. Employment accounted for the bulk of the gain while unemployment was little changed over the month.
Pennsylvania’s total nonfarm jobs were up 9,000 over the month to a record high of 6,209,500 in May. Jobs increased in seven of the 11 industry supersectors. The largest volume gain was in education & health services (+4,300), which rose to a record high level, while the largest decline was in construction (-1,700). Over the year, jobs were up 36,200 with gains in six of the 11 supersectors. The largest volume gain from last May was in education & health services (+37,200).
