Pennsylvania’s jobless rate remained at 4.8 percent in February, the ninth straight month it’s held steady at that level, according to data released Friday by the state Department of Labor and Industry.

The state’s rate — which is higher than the U.S. unemployment rate of 4.1 percent for February — has fallen by three-tenths of a percentage point from 5.1 percent in February 2017.

Pennsylvania’s labor force shrunk by 3,000 over the last month and by 32,000 over the last year, meaning there were 32,000 fewer residents employed or looking for work.

The total number of jobs rose 1.4 percent, or by 81,400,  over the last 12 months to a record high 6.01 million.

By industry sector, nine of the 11 groups saw an increase in jobs over the last year. 

The mining and logging sector — which includes mostly coal mining jobs — saw the biggest percentage growth at 9.9 percent.

Construction was next at 4.4 percent, followed by education and health services at 2.8 percent and leisure and hospitality at 2.3 percent.

On the downside, jobs fell by 3.4 percent in the information sector and 0.5 percent in government.

Patricia Sabatini: PSabatini@post-gazette.com; 412-263-3066.

First Published: March 23, 2018, 6:04 p.m.