Pennsylvania's unemployment rate hit a new post-recession low, dropping in March for the fourth straight month even as payrolls slid.
The state Department of Labor and Industry said Friday that Pennsylvania's unemployment rate dropped two-tenths of a percentage point to 4.8 percent last month.
The national rate was 4.5 percent in March.
A survey of employers found that seasonally adjusted non-farm payrolls shrank by 16,100 in March, but still remained above 5.9 million.
A household survey found that the civilian labor force grew by 7,000 in March. Employment rose by 17,000 to a new record high above 6.1 million while unemployment dropped by 9,000 to 321,000, the lowest in nine years.
Friday's figures are preliminary and could change.
Copyright AP - Associated Press
