The number of jobs and job seekers in the Pittsburgh region grew in October, leaving the local unemployment rate unchanged at 5.4 percent for the month and indicating broad improvements in the economy.
At the same time, 400 more people were out of work in the six-county Pittsburgh region, according to data released Tuesday by the Pennsylvania Center for Workforce Information and Analysis. The region had 65,800 unemployed in October, compared with 63,500 the year earlier.
But about 4,500 more people found jobs in October than during the prior month. The month saw an unusually large gain of 4,900 in the labor force, which includes those working or actively looking for work.
"More people are going out in search of work. That's a positive sign there's more optimism," said Michele Hiester, a state labor market analyst.
Job gains were widespread, amounting to a 9,100-job increase from a year earlier. Construction, for instance, picked up 400 jobs in October, putting the sector 4,000 above year-ago levels.
"On average, construction jobs in October tend to dip 200, or as much as 1,000, depending on weather patterns," said Hiester. "But this was not a very cold October."
The onset of holiday shopping spurred retailers to hire 2,800 more people, or 1,000 more than last year. She said the gains, mostly among general merchandisers, don't necessarily foretell brisker year-end retailing sales, however.
Ten of the 14 metropolitan areas in Pennsylvania surveyed by the state agency registered increases in unemployment levels in October. Rates ranged from 3.7 percent in the Harrisburg area to 7.5 percent for Johnstown.
The Pittsburgh-area's 5.4 percent unemployment rate matched levels in September, as well as October 2003.
Each month, the state surveys businesses in Allegheny, Beaver, Butler, Fayette, Washington and Westmoreland counties, as well as the city of Pittsburgh, to determine area employment.
Various professional and business service jobs in the region increased 1,300 last month, or 1,500 more than the year earlier.
But manufacturing represented October's "down point," said the labor analyst. The sector lost 200 jobs, or 600 over the year.
"Manufacturing jobs shrunk for the fourth-consecutive month. They are still pretty close to historical lows," said Hiester.
The statewide jobless rate inched up 0.1 point to 5.5 percent in October, matching the U.S. unemployment level.
