The unemployment rate for the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre metropolitan area decreased one-tenth of a percentage point from June to 4.7% in July, according to data from the state Department of Labor and Industry. The rate is down three-tenths of a percentage point from July 2025.
The labor force for the region — consisting of Lackawanna, Luzerne and Wayne counties — increased by 400 over the month and 5,100 over the year, state officials said.
Employment figures increased by 700 over the month and 5,800 over July 2025, officials added.
The unemployment rate for Lackawanna County dropped two-tenths of a percentage point from June, to 3.8%, according to state data. The rate is down nine-tenths of a percentage point from July 2025.
Luzerne County’s rate dropped two-tenths of a percentage point over the month, to 4.6%, and seven-tenths of a percentage point over the year, state officials said.
At 3.9% in July, down two-tenths of a percentage point over the month, Pennsylvania’s unemployment rate dipped below 4% for the first time since October 2024, according to state data.
Pennsylvania’s labor force increased 8,000 over the month to a record high 6,6451,000 in July, state officials said. Employment also rose to a record high while unemployment dropped 10,000 over the month.
Nationally, the unemployment rate for the United States dropped one-tenth of a percentage point in July to 4.1%, officials said.