Unemployment in the Erie, PA area was at 3.8% in April 2026. That’s a 0.1 percentage point decrease from a year before. The unemployment rate is the percentage of people in the labor force who are actively looking for work but not currently employed. It helps indicate the overall condition of the Erie, PA Metro Area job market.

In April 2026,

3.8%

of the labor force was unemployed in Erie, PA area

April 2026 had a

-0.1

percentage point change from April 2025

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

Metro area-level unemployment data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics does not account for fluctuations due to seasonal employment patterns, such as tourism or agriculture. That means the data may show large changes month to month. It’s important to view this local data with a long-term lens.

The unemployment rate in Erie, PA area was lower in April 2026 (YTD) compared with January 2019.

Unemployment rate by month, not seasonally adjusted, 2019-2026 (YTD)

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

Unemployment rates differ between urban areas due to various factors. The types of industries present in an area may affect unemployment rates. Seasonal work in industries like tourism can cause unemployment to go up and down. Population changes and local policies also play a role in how many people are employed.

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How does unemployment in the Erie, PA area compare to other metros?

Among 113 metro areas with 100,000 to 250,000 people in the labor force, the Erie, PA area had the 50th lowest unemployment rate in April 2026.

Other areas with similar unemployment rates to the Erie, PA area’s 3.8% unemployment rate were the Shreveport, LA area (3.8%) and the Champaign, IL area (3.8%).

In April 2026, the Erie, PA area had the 50th lowest unemployment rate among metro areas with 100,000 to 250,000 people in the labor force.

Unemployment rate, not seasonally adjusted (Circle size corresponds to the size of the labor force)

Source: Bureau of Labor StatisticsUnemployment rate, by metro area (April 2026)Unemployment rate, by metro area (April 2026)1. 16.5%2. 13.9%3. 10.2%4. 9.6%5. 8.9%6. 8.7%7. 8.6%8. 8.5%9. 8.1%10. 7.9%See all (376)Keep exploring