Dear Friend, 

The latest unemployment figures reveal that both the total number of unemployed in the Pittsburgh region and the unemployment rate for the region continue to decline. The Pittsburgh region's not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in January was 7.6 percent, 0.5 percentage points lower than the rate in January 2011. The unemployment rate in every region declined over the same period. Pittsburgh's rate remains one of the lowest of our benchmark regions and well below the national average.

The total number of unemployed in the Pittsburgh region declined by more than 4,300 while the number of employed and the total labor force continued to increase. 

The unemployment rate in Pittsburgh remains one of the lowest in the nation.

Data on average weekly wages for the third quarter of 2011 show that the Pittsburgh region continues to narrow the wage gap with our benchmark regions. Wages grew almost 7 percent year-over-year, which was the third highest rate of growth. 

Locally, Greene County had the highest average weekly wages in the third quarter of 2011, followed closely by Allegheny County. Wages in Washington County ranked third. Monroe County, OH, had the highest rate of growth year-over-year.

Employment figures for February 2012 and annual figures for 2011 will be released on April 10th.        

Sincerely,

Douglas Heuck

Program Director

PittsburghTODAY