Pennsylvania’s unemployment rate edged higher in November, marking the first change in over a year, according to the latest data from the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry.

The state’s unemployment rate increased by one-tenth of a percentage point to 3.5 percent in November, up from 3.4 percent in October 2023.

The U.S. unemployment rate rose to 4.2 percent, up from 4.1 percent in October and higher than the rate a year ago.

Pennsylvania’s civilian labor force, which includes residents working or actively seeking employment, saw a decline of 24,000 to 6,507,000 in November. The decrease was primarily due to a drop in resident employment, which fell by 28,000, while the number of unemployed individuals rose by 5,000.

The state also experienced a decrease in nonfarm jobs, with a reduction of 2,500 from October’s record high, bringing the total to 6,205,000.

The professional and business services sector faced the steepest decline, shedding 3,800 jobs.

Despite the overall drop, the education and health services, as well as the leisure and hospitality sectors, reached new employment highs.

The state’s job market showed more positive trends over the year, with a total increase of 90,300 jobs across various sectors. The education and health services sector had the largest growth, adding 47,300 jobs over the year.

In Bucks County, the unemployment rate stood at 3 percent as of October, the most recent month where was data available, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Per state data, Giant Food Store, the Central Bucks School District, Bucks County government, Doylestown Hospital, Walmart, St. Mary Medical Center, Grand View Health, ELC Beauty, the Pennsbury School District, and Wawa are the largest employers in the county.

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