Quick take: Hiring across Central Pennsylvania is steady but more selective than last year. In the Harrisburg–Carlisle area, unemployment in July 2025 was 4.4%, so job seekers have options—and employers do, too. The organizations that win this fall will post earlier, list pay ranges, use simple skills screens, and offer a bit of flexibility in schedules.
Central Pennsylvania snapshot (Harrisburg, York, Lancaster, Lebanon, Carlisle)
- Local labor market: The Harrisburg–Carlisle metropolitan area sits at 4.4% unemployment (July 2025, not seasonally adjusted). Education and health services are adding jobs; manufacturing is a bit softer than last year.
- Logistics and seasonal hiring: New warehouse capacity along Interstate 81 (the I-81 corridor) continues to support seasonal hiring in warehousing, shipping, and customer support—especially as we head into the holidays.
What this means: Expect plenty of seasonal and back-office work tied to healthcare, education, and logistics from September through December.
Information Technology (Help Desk, Systems/Network Administration, Cybersecurity, Data/Business Intelligence)
What’s hot now
- Steady demand for support roles (help desk and desktop), systems and network administration, cyber security analysts, and hands-on data roles.
- Local pay anchors (South Central Pennsylvania Workforce Development Area):
- Information Security Analyst: median $102,170
- Computer User Support Specialist (help desk): median $57,310
- Network/Systems Administrator: median $87,160
How employers can win
- Publish your technology stack (for example: Microsoft 365, Okta, ticketing tools) and the on-call rhythm.
- Keep first interviews focused on practical skills—one short troubleshooting task and a structured set of questions beats a long “culture fit” conversation.
- Offer two in-office “team days” for hybrid roles so candidates know the pattern.
How candidates can stand out
- Show results: incidents resolved, service-level agreement (SLA) performance, number of users supported, and tools you’ve used.
- Add quick proof points (for example, a short scripting exercise, security basics, or cloud fundamentals).
Customer Service / Contact Center (Healthcare and Peak-Season Support)
Why demand jumps each fall
- Medicare Open Enrollment runs October 15–December 7. For 2025, Medicare prescription drug coverage (Part D) includes a new $2,000 annual cap on out-of-pocket costs and many enrollees can spread payments monthly. That means more calls about plan comparisons, drug coverage, and payment options.
- Retail and parcel operations add seasonal seats across the I-81 corridor.
Local pay anchor
- Customer Service Representative: median $39,700 (average $43,100) in the South Central area.
How employers can win
- Post now for fall and holiday seats. Offer fixed 32–36 hour schedules, evening/weekend pay differentials, and paid training.
- Provide a one-page “2025 Medicare prescription drug changes” handout and short call scenarios. Reps who can confidently explain the $2,000 cap and monthly payment plan reach target performance faster.
How candidates can stand out
- Share your metrics in plain language: average call length, quality scores, first-call resolution, customer satisfaction.
- Practice two quick stories: one about calming a frustrated caller, and one about helping a member understand a coverage change.
Accounting & Finance
Market dynamics
- Pennsylvania’s Act 27 of 2025 updates the path to Certified Public Accountant licensure. Early-career supply should improve, but gaps remain at the senior and controller levels.
Local pay anchors (South Central area)
- Accountants and Auditors: median $74,310
- Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks: median $53,140
- Bookkeeping/Accounting/Auditing Clerks: median $47,480
How employers can win
- Two-step process: (1) a short, job-relevant exercise (journal entry, bank reconciliation, or Excel pivots/lookup functions), and (2) a structured interview.
- Advertise predictable overtime during month-end close and quarter-end.
How candidates can stand out
- Quantify your impact: days to close, number of reconciliations cleared, audit findings reduced.
- List systems clearly (for example, NetSuite, SAP, Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central) and Excel skills (pivot tables, lookup functions).
Administrative and Clerical
Outlook
- Automation has reduced some administrative headcount nationally, but replacement needs are steady—especially in medical offices and higher education around Central Pennsylvania.
Local pay anchors (South Central area)
- Receptionists and Information Clerks: median $35,430
- Human Resources Assistants: median $47,680
- Office Machine Operators: median $36,390
Local pay anchors (South Central area)
- Receptionists and Information Clerks: median $35,430
- Human Resources Assistants: median $47,680
- Office Machine Operators: median $36,390
How employers can win
- Offer small scheduling choices (for example, 8–4 or 9–5).
- Use a 20-minute work sample (calendar triage or drafting a simple inbox reply) and make same-day decisions when you can.
- Show a growth path (assistant → coordinator → specialist).
How candidates can stand out
- Highlight tools (Microsoft Outlook rules, Excel basics, electronic health record exposure), calendar complexity handled, and customer-facing wins.
Compliance and compensation
- Pay in job postings: More states now require salary ranges in job ads. If you hire across states, include a range by default to stay compliant and attract more applicants.
- Automated tools in hiring: If you use software that screens or scores applicants, keep simple documentation: which tools you use, how you test them for bias, and how you notify candidates.
- Compensation levels: Set pay using current local market medians (above). Don’t anchor to the unusually high wage spikes from 2021–2022.
How Employers Can Win with Abel Personnel
- Book a 15-minute intake to lock must-have skills, timeline, and interview plan.
- Get data-driven Central Pennsylvania pay ranges and a simple two-step hiring process.
- Review a short list of pre-screened candidates in days and keep momentum with coordinated interviews.
Ready to land your next role?Start a search
How Candidates Can Stand Out with Abel Personnel
- Get a resume tune-up that highlights results, not jargon.
- Practice a job-relevant skills task and common interview questions for your target role.
- Receive early alerts for Central Pennsylvania roles that match your schedule and goals.
Ready to hire?See open jobs
Sources:
How Candidates Can Stand Out with Abel Personnel
- Hiring Data Security: A Leader’s Guide to Protecting Candidate Data
- Combating Hiring Deception: How Recruiters Spot Candidate Fraud
- Update: Central PA Hiring Trends in Spring 2025
Marion Adams, Director at Abel Personnel since 2013, is a master talent matchmaker known for finding “Purple Squirrel” candidates across PA, MD, and VA. She leads a dynamic team, blending tech-savvy recruiting with a personal touch to create perfect placements.