September 2026 | Released October 20, 2026
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United States
Employment snapshot
In September, among the 50 states and the District of Columbia unemployment fell in 18, rose in 9, and remained unchanged in 24.
The highest unemployment rate was 5.6 percent in District of Columbia, and the lowest was 2 percent in South Dakota. Nationally, the unemployment rate rose by 0.1 percentage point to 4.2 percent.
In September, payroll jobs rose in 24 states and fell in 25. The largest payroll job percent increase was 0.5 percent in South Carolina. The largest payroll job percent decline was 0.4 percent in Missouri and Wisconsin.
Pennsylvania
Employment snapshot
In September, Pennsylvania lost 600 net payroll jobs and the unemployment rate fell by 0.1 percentage point to 3.6 percent. In the prior month, Pennsylvania added 12,300 net payroll jobs.
Over the past 12 months, Pennsylvania added 45,000 net payroll jobs and the unemployment rate fell by 0.8 percentage points from 4.4 percent.
Nationally, nonfarm payrolls rose by 29,000 in September, or 0 percent. Pennsylvania is tied for 18th in the nation for percentage gain in nonfarm payroll employment over the past 12 months.
In September, Pennsylvania’s private sector lost 1,800 net private payroll jobs, and over the past 12 months it added 47,000 private payroll jobs. In the prior month, Pennsylvania added 11,700 net private payroll jobs.
In September, employment in Pennsylvania rose by 12,984, and over the past 12 months it rose by 159,029.
Pennsylvania’s labor force participation rate remained steady at 62.6 percent in September and is tied for 21st in the nation. In the past 12 months, the labor force participation rate has risen by 1 percentage point.
Pennsylvania
Payroll employment
Pennsylvania lost 600 net payroll jobs, or 0 percent, on a seasonally adjusted basis during September. In the prior month, Pennsylvania added 12,300 jobs. Pennsylvania nonfarm payroll employment has increased in 8 of the past 12 months.
Nationally, nonfarm payrolls rose by 29,000 in September, or 0 percent. Pennsylvania is tied for 18th in the nation for percentage gain in nonfarm payroll employment over the past 12 months.
Pennsylvania lost 1,800 private sector jobs, or 0 percent, on a seasonally adjusted basis during September. In the prior month, Pennsylvania added 11,700 jobs. Pennsylvania private sector payroll employment has increased in 8 of the past 12 months.
Nationally, private sector payroll jobs rose by 46,000 jobs in September, or 0 percent. Pennsylvania is tied for 17th in the nation for percentage gain in private sector payroll employment over the past 12 months.
From August 2026 to September 2026:
- The best performing sectors were Private Education and Health Services (+4,600) and Professional and Business Services (+2,300).
- The worst performing sectors were Leisure and Hospitality (-8,900) and Financial Activities (-1,900).
From September 2025 to September 2026:
- The best performing sectors were Private Education and Health Services (+32,600) and Professional and Business Services (+6,000).
- The worst performing sectors were Federal Government (-5,800) and Information (-2,700).
Pennsylvania
Labor force
The labor force participation rate is the percentage of the civilian noninstitutionalized population age 16 and older who are employed or actively looking for work.
The labor force participation rate in Pennsylvania remained unchanged at 62.6 percent in September.
Pennsylvania is tied for 21st in the nation.
The 10-year high for the labor force participation rate in Pennsylvania was 63.2 percent occurring in September 2019, and the 10-year low was 60.8 percent in April 2020.
The national labor force participation rate rose by 0.2 percentage points to 61.8 percent in September.