Pittsburgh area jobless rate up slightly but still better than a year ago

The Pittsburgh region’s unemployment rate rose slightly to 4.0 % in September, the first time it’s been that high since February, the state said Tuesday.

With 600 fewer people employed in the seven-county region in September, the jobless rate increased by one-tenth of a percentage point to 4.0% in September, the second consecutive month the jobless rate, as adjusted for seasonal hiring factors, has risen. The jobless rate in the seven-county Pittsburgh region — Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Fayette, Washington and Westmoreland counties — was better in September than a year ago, when it registered 4.2%, according to the state’s Center for Workforce Information and Analysis.

Employment among residents fell to almost 1.16 million in September and the number of unemployed workers rose by 1,000 to 47,800. Five hundred more people joined the labor force, raising the total to 1.2 million.

The economy shed 2,500 fewer non-farm jobs, also adjusted for seasonal hiring factors, in September, with 1.19 million jobs, but that still was 2,400 better than a year ago, the state said.

When taking into account the return of teachers to colleges, universities and public schools, the non-farm jobs total — not adjusted for seasonal hiring factors — jumped by 7,500 to 1.19 million. The region’s educational services, employing 52,500, accounted for 7,700 more jobs in September than in August.

The unemployment rate for Allegheny and Westmoreland counties in September rose on-tenth of a percentage point in both counties — to 4.0% in Allegheny and 4.3% in Westmoreland. Armstrong remained at 4.8%.