Pittsburgh jobless rate rises in December, highest since April 2018

The Pittsburgh region’s economy showed signs of slowing in December as the unemployment rate in the seven-county region rose 0.2 of a percentage point to 4.5%, the highest rate since April 2018, the state reported Tuesday.

The unemployment rate, as adjusted for seasonal hiring factors, was 0.3 of a percentage point higher than the 4.2% rate in December 2019, the Center for Workforce Information and Analysis said. The jobless rate for Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Fayette, Washington and Westmoreland counties has not been higher than 4.5% since February 2018, when the unemployment rate was 4.8%.

The jobless rate rose as the labor force grew by 3,300 workers to 1.21 million, but employment among residents increased by only 1,200 to 1.62 million, the state said. As adjusted for seasonal hiring factors, there were 54,300 unemployed workers, an increase of 2,100 in December.

The total number of non-farm jobs dropped by 1,400 in December to 1.2 million, but it was 900 more than a year ago, the state said. Those job figures are not adjusted for seasonal hiring.

Among counties in the region, Allegheny had the lowest rate at 4.5%, while Westmoreland’s was 5%. Fayette had the highest unemployment rate at 6.9%.