Unemployment falls to 4.3 percent in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania’s unemployment rate fell two-tenths of a percentage point to 4.3 percent in June, the lowest rate in 11 years, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry.

June’s unemployment rate compares to the nation’s unemployment rate of 4 percent.

The civilian labor force, the estimated number of residents working or looking for work, was 6.4 million. The civilian labor force dropped by 61,000 over the year because of declines in both employment and unemployment.

Total nonfarm jobs in the state reached a record high above 6 million, up 1.3 percent from last year.

The sectors experiencing the fastest growth were manufacturing, and leisure and hospitality. Industries experiencing the most significant contraction are construction, and professional and business services.

“This is just the beginning,” Vice President Mike Pence said. “As businesses continue to invest their tax-cut savings in their workers, we estimate that annual wages for Pennsylvania families will rise by more than $4,200 in the years ahead.”

The state’s unemployment rate is proof the President Donald Trump’s agenda is delivering real results, Pence said.

Pence spoke Monday in Philadelphia at the downtown Sheraton. The event was called Tax Cuts to Put America First and was sponsored by a group promoting the president’s agenda.

The unemployment figures are preliminary and subject to change.