On Friday the Philadelphia Business Journal reported that Pennsylvania’s unemployment rate rose to 7.8 % from 7.5 % in March, according to seasonally adjusted regional and state unemployment rates.

The US Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics said New Jersey’s rate was 8.2 %, the same rate as in February. New Jersey’s Department of Labor and Workforce Development reported a slightly higher rate of 8.3 % earlier this week.

Delaware’s jobless rate stood at 7.7 % for March. The national unemployment rate for the month was 8.5 %.

Over the month, Pennsylvania’s nonfarm job count fell by 30,500, New Jersey’s by 17,200, and Delaware’s by 3,200.

The three states are among 48 nationwide, and the District of Columbia, that experienced a decline in nonfarm employment between February and March.

Between March 2008 and last month, Delaware has lost 19,300 jobs, New Jersey has lost 130,300 and Pennsylvania has lost 132,800.

Source: Philadelphia Business Journal