Allentown Area Economic Summary
Updated May 31, 2017
This summary presents a sampling of economic information for the area; supplemental data are provided for regions
and the nation. Subjects include unemployment, employment, wages, prices, spending, and benefits. All data are
not seasonally adjusted and some may be subject to revision. Area definitions may differ by subject. For more area
summaries and geographic definitions, see www.bls.gov/regions/economic-summaries.htm.
Unemployment rates for the Allentown area,
selected area counties, and the nation
Average weekly wages for all industries by county
Allentown area, 3rd quarter 2016
(U.S. = $1,027; Area = $943)
Unemployment rates
4.7
United States
4.1
5.1
Allentown area
4.7
5.8
Carbon Co., PA
5.5
5.1
Lehigh Co., PA
4.9
4.9
Northampton
Co., PA
4.8
4.6
Warren Co., NJ
3.4
0.0
2.0
4.0
6.0
8.0
Apr-16
Apr-17
Source: U.S. BLS, Local Area Unemployment Statistics.
Source: U.S. BLS, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages.
Over-the-year changes in employment on nonfarm payrolls and employment by major industry sector
12-month percent changes in employment
Percent
Allentown area employment
(numbers in thousands)
3.0
2.5
2.0
1.5
1.0
0.5
0.0
-0.5
-1.0
-1.5
Apr-14
Allentown area
Apr-15
United States
Apr-16
Source: U.S. BLS, Current Employment Statistics.
Apr-17
Total nonfarm
Mining, logging, and construction
Manufacturing
Trade, transportation, and utilities
Information
Financial activities
Professional and business services
Education and health services
Leisure and hospitality
Other services
Government
Change from Apr.
Apr. 2017
2016 to Apr. 2017
Number
Percent
-1.1
0.0
0.0
4.1
-0.1
0.5
-4.6
-0.8
0.0
-0.3
0.1
-0.3
0.0
0.0
5.2
-1.6
3.4
-9.3
-1.1
0.0
-2.2
0.2
363.2
13.2
36.2
83.0
6.0
15.1
44.6
74.8
36.2
13.6
40.5
Source: U.S. BLS, Current Employment Statistics.
• www.bls.gov/ro6
Over-the-year changes in the selling prices received by
producers for selected industries nationwide
Over-the-year change in the prices paid by urban
consumers for selected categories
12-month percent change in CPI-U, April 2017
10.0
8.9
Percent
5.0
9.3
General freight trucking
Hospitals
Chemical mfg
4.0
Northeast region
U.S. city average
8.0
12-month percent changes in PPI
3.0
2.0
6.0
1.0
4.0
2.0
0.0
1.9
0.0
2.2
-1.0
0.8
All Items
-2.0
0.5
Food
-3.0
Energy
-4.0
Apr-14
Source: U.S. BLS, Consumer Price Index.
Average annual spending and percent distribution for
selected categories
Northeast Region average annual expenditures 2015
Apr-15
Healthcare
$4,328
7.3%
Personal
insurance &
pensions
$7,103
12.0%
Food
$6,882
11.7%
Transportation
$9,026
15.3%
Total:
$58,976
$22.40
$23.86
36.07
36.89
Registered nurses
32.30
34.70
Construction laborers
18.17
18.22
Customer service representatives
16.55
16.91
Office clerks, general
15.79
15.87
15.33
18.09
14.46
13.81
Retail salespersons
12.67
13.07
Stock clerks and order fillers
12.08
12.82
Waiters and waitresses
10.85
11.73
Childcare workers
10.37
11.02
9.94
9.89
Cooks, fast food
Source: U.S. BLS, Occupational Employment Statistics, May 2015.
Employer costs per hour worked for wages and
selected employee benefits by geographic division
Total compensation
Wages and salaries
Total benefits
Paid leave
Vacation
Supplemental pay
Insurance
Retirement and savings
Legally required benefits
United
States
Accountants and auditors
Bill and account collectors
Laborers and freight, stock, and
material movers, hand
Source: U.S. BLS, Consumer Expenditure Survey.
Private industry, December
2016
Allentown
area
Total, all occupations
Housing
$20,817
35.3%
Apr-17
Average hourly wages for selected occupations
Occupation
All other
$10,820
18.3%
Apr-16
Source: U.S. BLS, Producer Price Index.
Middle
Atlantic (1)
$40.98
26.92
14.06
3.06
1.54
2.85
3.33
1.73
3.10
(1) Middle Atlantic includes NJ, NY, and PA.
Source: U.S. BLS, Employer Costs for Employee Compensation.
United
States
$32.76
22.83
9.93
2.28
1.17
1.15
2.63
1.31
2.56
Over-the-year changes in wages and salaries
Percent
3.5
12-month percent changes in ECI
3.0
2.5
2.0
1.5
1.0
0.5
0.0
Mar-14
Middle Atlantic
Mar-15
United States
Mar-16
Source: U.S. BLS, Employment Cost Index.
Mid-Atlantic Information Office • [email protected] • https://www.bls.gov/regions/mid-atlantic • 215-597-3282
Mar-17