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# Pennsylvania Unemployment Falls to 3.7% as Labor Force Grows
- URL: https://www.theamericanquorum.com/state-news-pennsylvania-2026-09-19-b/
- Published: 2026-09-19T09:41:17.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-19T09:41:17.000Z
- Description: Pennsylvania’s unemployment rate fell significantly to 3.7% in August while the labor force grew. Employers added an estimated 5,800 payroll jobs, though that change was not statistically significant.
- Author: News Desk
- Tags: State News, Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania's unemployment rate fell to 3.7% in August, a statistically significant two-tenths-point decline that left the state below the national 4.1% rate. The number of unemployed residents dropped even as the labor force expanded, while employers added an estimated 5,800 payroll jobs during the month.

The [seasonally adjusted household figures](https://www.bls.gov/news.release/laus.t01.htm?ref=theamericanquorum.com) show Pennsylvania's civilian labor force grew by 8,493 people in August to 6,659,135\. The number classified as unemployed fell by 11,473 to 249,694, bringing the rate down from 3.9% in July and 4.1% in June.

Compared with August 2025, the labor force was larger by 121,236 people and unemployment was lower by 37,827\. The jobless rate declined from 4.4% over that 12-month period. That combination is stronger than a falling rate produced solely by people leaving the workforce: more residents were working or seeking work while fewer were counted as unemployed.

Pennsylvania was one of five states with a statistically significant two-tenths-point monthly decrease, according to the [Bureau of Labor Statistics state summary](https://www.bls.gov/news.release/laus.nr0.htm?ref=theamericanquorum.com). Across the country, unemployment rates fell significantly in eight states and the District of Columbia and were stable in 42 states. The national rate remained at 4.1%.

The separate employer survey estimated [6,206,700 nonfarm payroll jobs](https://www.bls.gov/news.release/laus.t03.htm?ref=theamericanquorum.com) in Pennsylvania in August, up 5,800 from July and 34,600 from a year earlier. BLS did not classify either payroll change as statistically significant, so those totals should be treated as estimates rather than definitive evidence of a statewide hiring surge.

Industry results nevertheless show where the estimated movement occurred. Education and health services added 1,000 jobs during August to reach 1,422,600 and stood 23,600 above August 2025\. Leisure and hospitality added 1,300 jobs during the month and was up 12,400 over the year. Trade, transportation and utilities gained 1,700 jobs in August, though the sector remained 4,000 below its year-earlier level.

Professional and business services added 800 jobs during August, while financial activities gained 500\. Manufacturing payrolls edged down by 200 to 557,300 but remained 2,200 above August 2025\. Construction lost 300 jobs during the month and stood 2,900 below its year-earlier estimate. Government employment rose by 500 in August but remained 4,100 lower than a year earlier.

The two headline measures come from different programs. Household estimates count people by where they live, while payroll data count jobs at their place of work; someone holding two jobs can appear twice in the employer series. The [federal technical note](https://www.bls.gov/news.release/laus.tn.htm?ref=theamericanquorum.com) says current estimates are preliminary, subject to sampling and nonsampling error, and later revised as more information becomes available.

For Pennsylvania, August's clearest signal is the significant decline in unemployment alongside continued labor-force growth. Payroll estimates also moved higher, but not by enough for BLS to rule out normal statistical variation. September state data are scheduled for release October 20.