Pennsylvania Jobless Rate At Post-Recession Low, Payrolls Remain Flat

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HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Pennsylvania saw its biggest one-month drop in the unemployment rate in four years and a new post-recession low, although payrolls remained relatively flat.

The state Department of Labor and Industry said Friday that Pennsylvania's unemployment rate dropped two-tenths of a percentage point to 4.5 percent in May. The national rate is 3.8 percent.

A survey of households found Pennsylvania's civilian labor force contracted again, this time by 14,000, falling further below its 2012 record high as employment crept up and unemployment dropped.

A separate survey of employers showed seasonally adjusted non-farm payrolls rose by about 2,300 in May, reaching a record high above 6 million.

The biggest gains were in construction and trade, transportation and utilities. Education and health services shrank the most.

Friday's figures are preliminary and could change.

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