Pennsylvania’s unemployment rate fell to 3.6 percent in September, reaching its lowest level in three years and continuing a broader trend of labor market strength across the Commonwealth. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry, the rate declined one-tenth of a percentage point from August and now sits well below the national unemployment rate of 4.2 percent.

The latest figures indicate that Pennsylvania’s workforce continues to grow. The state’s civilian labor force, which measures the number of residents working or actively seeking employment, increased by 4,000 in September to a record-high 6.663 million. At the same time, employment reached a new record level while the number of unemployed Pennsylvanians dropped by 9,000.

For employers, the report reflects both encouraging economic growth and the ongoing challenge of finding workers in a tight labor market. Pennsylvania’s unemployment rate fell from 4.4 percent a year ago, a sharper improvement than the national rate over the same period. A growing workforce and higher employment levels can help support business expansion, but many employers continue to face competition for talent across key industries.