New federal and state labor data shows continued job growth in Lehigh Valley, including an increase in manufacturing jobs, the Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation (LVEDC) said recently.
Lehigh Valley added 4,000 jobs during the 12 months ending June 30, representing 1.3 percent growth. Over the last five years, employment has increased by 26,000.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported more than 380,000 jobs at mid-year in the four-county metropolitan area, which includes Lehigh, Northampton, Carbon, and Warren counties.
Health care is the leading employment sector, with nearly 60,000 jobs. Historically, retail trade has been the second-largest employment sector in the region, but in 2018, manufacturing surpassed retail. Over the last five years, retail employment has remained flat while manufacturing has added approximately 5,000 jobs.
Lehigh Valley saw a one percent increase in jobs for the 12 months ending June 30, while statewide, the net loss of 6,000 manufacturing jobs resulted in a one percent decrease.
“The Lehigh Valley is unique among major metropolitan areas in the United States in that manufacturing is driving such a large percentage of its growth,” LVEDC President and CEO Don Cunningham said. “Manufacturing is clearly alive and well in the Lehigh Valley, and our regional GDP is the largest it’s ever been, far surpassing even the days of Bethlehem Steel.”
The transportation sector, which includes distribution, logistics, warehousing, and fulfillment, has added 12,000 jobs in the past five years due to growth in online commerce. Employment in this sector will likely surpass employment in traditional retail in Lehigh Valley by 2024, LVEDC noted.