Pennsylvania's jobless rate fell by three-tenths of a point in December for the third straight month, as payrolls crept higher.
The seasonally adjusted rate in December fell to the state's post-recession low of 4.8 percent according to the State Department of Labor and Industry. That's down from 5.1 percent in November and 5.7 percent in September.
The U.S. rate is currently 5.6 percent.
In a survey of households, the department estimated that the number of people working or looking for work, fell by 1,000. Employment rose by 13,000, climbing closer to 6.1 million, while unemployment fell by 14,000 to 309,000.
A separate survey of employers found non-farm payrolls grew by 8,000. At just above 5.8 million, payrolls remain below pre-recession levels while the labor force is below its 2012 peak.
Service industry salaries, including education, government, hospitality and others, continue to rise.
