NEPA Hiring Trends: Where the Jobs Are Moving in Luzerne & Lackawanna Counties

The job market in Northeastern Pennsylvania continues to evolve—and for employers and job seekers alike, understanding where hiring is happening can make all the difference.

At OneSource Staffing, we see these changes firsthand. While overall employment numbers can appear relatively stable, certain industries continue to experience strong demand while employers in other sectors face challenges finding qualified candidates.

In a recent LinkedIn article, Reginald Thomas of OneSource Staffing takes a closer look at the hiring trends shaping Luzerne and Lackawanna Counties and what they mean for both employers and job seekers.

Read the full LinkedIn article: NEPA Hiring Trends: Where the Jobs Are Moving in Luzerne & Lackawanna Counties

Where Is NEPA Hiring?

Several industries continue to stand out across the Scranton-Wilkes-Barre labor market.

Healthcare Continues to Grow

Healthcare and education remain important employment drivers throughout the region. Recent local employment data shows continued growth in education and health services, creating demand for medical support professionals, administrative employees, technicians, billing and revenue-cycle professionals, and other specialized talent.

For employers, this means competition for experienced candidates can be significant.

Posting a position and waiting for applications may not be enough—especially for hard-to-fill positions. Employers may need to look at compensation, hiring speed, communication, and recruiting strategies to attract the right people.

Warehousing & Logistics Remain Strong

Transportation, warehousing, and material-moving occupations represent a significant portion of employment in the Scranton-Wilkes-Barre area.

This includes positions such as:

• Warehouse associates
• Order selectors and pickers
• Material handlers
• Forklift operators
• CDL drivers
• Leads and supervisors

The continued strength of logistics in Northeastern Pennsylvania means employers are competing for workers who can keep products moving efficiently and safely.

That competition also means job seekers should understand the value of their experience and skills when considering their next opportunity.

Manufacturing Needs Skilled Talent

Manufacturing remains a major part of the NEPA economy, employing more than 31,000 workers across Lackawanna, Luzerne, Wayne, and Wyoming Counties. Recent regional data also shows manufacturing employment has grown since 2020, with additional growth projected through 2030.

But today’s manufacturing employers aren’t simply looking for people to fill production lines.

They need skilled workers who can troubleshoot equipment, maintain machinery, operate specialized equipment, and keep production moving.

Positions such as maintenance technicians, industrial electricians, machine technicians, extrusion operators, PLC technicians, production leads, and mechanically inclined operators can be especially valuable.

For employers, the challenge isn’t always finding applicants. It’s finding applicants with the right skills.

Professional & Administrative Hiring Is Growing

Another area worth watching is professional and business services.

Accounting, administrative, customer service, management, analyst, and other business-support positions continue to create opportunities throughout the region.

One challenge? Many experienced professionals aren’t actively searching job boards every day.

They may already be employed and simply waiting for the right opportunity.

That’s where recruiting can make a difference.

What This Means for Employers

If you’re struggling to fill an open position, the problem may not be a lack of available workers.

It could be:

• Compensation that isn’t competitive with the current market
• A schedule that limits your candidate pool
• A job description that isn’t attracting the right people
• A hiring process that takes too long
• Difficulty reaching candidates who aren’t actively job searching
• Skills requirements that don’t match the available talent pool

The Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry’s latest new-hire data also illustrates the range of employers hiring throughout the region, including manufacturing, distribution, healthcare, retail, education, and other industries.

The right hiring strategy starts with understanding the market.

What This Means for Job Seekers

Job seekers shouldn’t limit themselves to the exact job title they previously held.

Transferable skills can open doors to opportunities that may not initially appear to be a match.

For example:

A warehouse lead may have the experience needed to move into a supervisory position.

A machine operator with strong troubleshooting abilities may be ready for a maintenance or technician opportunity.

A customer-service professional with healthcare experience may have skills that transfer into medical billing, insurance, or authorization positions.

Your resume should communicate what you can do—not simply where you’ve worked.

Why Local Recruiting Knowledge Matters

Hiring isn’t just about filling an opening.

It’s about understanding the local workforce, knowing what candidates are looking for, recognizing transferable skills, and helping employers compete for talent.

That’s one of the advantages of working with a staffing partner that understands Northeastern Pennsylvania.

At OneSource Staffing, we connect employers with talent across industries while helping job seekers discover opportunities that fit their experience, skills, and career goals.

Whether you’re hiring for manufacturing, distribution, administrative, professional, or other positions, understanding what’s happening in the local labor market can help you make better hiring decisions.

What’s Next for the NEPA Workforce?

The employment landscape will continue to change.

Some industries will expand. Others will face new challenges. Skills in demand today may evolve as technology, business needs, and workforce expectations change.

But one thing remains consistent:

Good people are valuable—and good candidates don’t stay available for long.

Understanding where the jobs are moving is the first step. Having the right recruiting strategy to connect with that talent is the next.

Want to learn more about the current NEPA hiring market?

Read Reginald Thomas’s full article:

NEPA Hiring Trends: Where the Jobs Are Moving in Luzerne & Lackawanna Counties

Looking for your next hire or your next opportunity? OneSource Staffing can help.