Pennsylvania jobless rate falls to lowest level since 2008, payrolls grew in October

Pennsylvania's jobless rate fell by three-tenths of a percentage point in October, as payrolls and the labor force grew.

The state Department of Labor and Industry said Friday that the seasonally adjusted rate in October was 5.4 percent, down from 5.7 percent in September. The rate was last at 5.4 percent in 2008. The U.S. rate is currently 5.8 percent.

In a survey of households, the department estimated that the number of people working or looking for work rose by 15,000. Employment rose by 32,000 to just above 6 million, while unemployment fell by 15,000 to 345,000.

A separate survey of employers found that non-farm payrolls grew by 12,600, inching above 5.8 million. The manufacturing, leisure and hospitality and trade, transportation and utilities sectors grew the most, while government and financial services payrolls fell.