The unemployment rate for the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre metropolitan area remained at 4.9% in December, according to data from the state Department of Labor and Industry.
The rate has been on a gradual rise after reaching historically low figures during parts of 2024.
Up three-tenths of a percentage point from August, the local unemployment rate increased seven-tenths of a percentage point from December 2024, state data shows.
The unemployment rate for Pennsylvania was 4.2% in December while the national rate was 4.4%, state officials said.
At 4.9%, the local metro unemployment rate was tied for Johnstown for the highest across the state in December, according to state data.
Locally, the number of unemployed increased by 1,900 over the year, while the number of people in the labor force increased by 500 and the number of employed decreased by 1,300, officials said.