The December report from the state Department of Labor & Industry shows the state unemployment rate has fallen one-tenth of a percent to 3.9%, which sets a record low.

A news release from Nancy Walker, acting L&I secretary, said residents are reentering the workforce, launching new careers and pursuing jobs that sustain their families.

Pennsylvania’s total nonfarm jobs were up by 17,000 over one month to 6,040,100 in December. Jobs increased from November in nine of the 11 industry supersectors.

The largest gain was in construction (4,600 added), while professional and business services jobs rose to a record high level. Over the year, total nonfarm jobs were up 202,500, with gains in 10 of the 11 supersectors.

From April 2020 to December 2022, Pennsylvania recovered about 95% of jobs lost in the first two months of the pandemic.

Four supersectors — trade, transportation and utilities; information; professional and business services; and manufacturing — were above their pre-pandemic job levels in December 2022.

Nationally, the unemployment rate fell to 3.5% in December. That national rate was down four-tenths of a percentage point over the year, according to L&I.