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Two Drilling Counties Lead The Nation In Job Growth

Scott Detrow/ StateImpact Pennsylvania

A Bradford County drilling rig


The drilling hotbed of Washington County saw a 4.3 percent increase in employment, between March 2010 and March 2011. That’s the third-highest spike in the country, according to data released today by the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Butler County follows close behind, with a 4.2 percent increase. That’s good for sixth, nationally.
Both counties are among the most active in the state, when it comes to Marcellus Shale drilling. Nearly 80 new wells were drilled in Washington County between January and July 2011, according to Department of Environmental Protection data included in the Marcellus Shale Advisory Commission’s report. More than 20 were tapped in Butler.

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