The number of service-providing jobs in Schuylkill County hit a record high, despite a slight increase in the unemployment rate.
The seasonally adjusted figure increased 0.1 of a percentage point to 5.6 percent in December 2014, according to the latest figures released Tuesday by the state Department of Labor and Industry.
“Even though the rate increased 0.1 of percentage point, that is not much to worry about as it is a relatively small movement,” Steven Zellers, industry and business analyst with the department, said Tuesday.
Out of the 67 counties in the state, 23 had its unemployment rate increase, 24 decreased and 20 remained the same.
“Out of all that, 48 counties were plus or minus 0.1 or flat,” Zellers said. “(Schuylkill) was virtually the same as the other counties.”
The state rate fell over the month by 0.3 of a point to 4.8 percent while the national rate declined 0.2 of a point to 5.6 percent. Over the year, the county rate fell 2.4 percentage points. The state rate fell 2.0 points over the year and the national rate decreased 1.1 points.
“The workforce over the year is down 500, but the total employment over the year is up 1,300 and 1,800 less people are on the unemployment rolls,” Zellers said.
That means 1,300 were employed while 500 left the workforce, either through retirement, being laid off or other means.
“It would be nice if the workforce hasn’t gone down at all, but it did in a lot of areas throughout the state,” Zellers said.
Total nonfarm jobs in the county were up 200 to 52,700 in December.
Over the course of 2014, the county was up 1,600 jobs, a 3.1 percent increase. Meanwhile, the state gained 54,800, an increase of 0.9 of a percentage point.
The month’s changes were in line with seasonal and historical trends as all industries went either unchanged or slightly increased. Likewise, most sectors showed only minor increases over the month. There were no decreases during the month or over the year.
“December is a weird month,” Zellers said. “A lot of seasonal things happen. Sometimes retail continues to grow, sometimes it flattens out.”
Transportation, warehousing and utilities and local and total government were at record highs in December. The majority of the remaining service-producing industries had over-the-year gains, all contributing to the county’s total reaching a record high of 40,100 jobs, which is 3.3 percent increase.
Statewide, service-providing industries increased 41,000, or by 0.8 percent, to 5,020,900 over the same period.
Schuylkill County’s rate tied with Clinton and Tioga counties for the 18th highest rate among the state’s 67 counties. Rates ranged from 3.8 percent in Centre County to 6.9 percent in Cameron County. The surrounding eight counties had rates ranging from 3.9 percent in Lebanon County to 6.2 percent in Luzerne County.