Pennsylvania Jobs and Wages
Wages, unemployment, minimum wage, benefits, visa filings and federal openings for Pennsylvania from BLS, the Department of Labor and USAJOBS.
- Median wage
- $49,690 a year
- May 2025
- Unemployment rate
- 3.6%
- Sep 2026
- Minimum wage
- $7.25/hr
- Federal rate applies
- Average weekly jobless benefit
- $476
- Sep 2026
Highest paying jobs in Pennsylvania
Occupations with at least 100 jobs
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| # | Occupation | Employment | Median wage | Mean wage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cardiologists | 640 | $579,120 | $492,490 |
| 2 | Anesthesiologists | 410 | $461,390 | $425,950 |
| 3 | Radiologists | 1,360 | $455,380 | $418,720 |
| 4 | Physicians, Pathologists | 210 | $413,370 | $369,170 |
| 5 | Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric | 240 | $354,020 | $363,580 |
| 6 | Family Medicine Physicians | 4,190 | $306,030 | $298,410 |
| 7 | Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric | 310 | $304,290 | $299,730 |
| 8 | Psychiatrists | 830 | $278,970 | $282,370 |
Most common jobs in Pennsylvania
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| # | Occupation | Employment | Median wage | Mean wage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Home Health and Personal Care Aides | 257,370 | $29,420 | $31,460 |
| 2 | General and Operations Managers | 172,010 | $103,130 | $126,200 |
| 3 | Registered Nurses | 146,520 | $96,430 | $94,020 |
| 4 | Fast Food and Counter Workers | 142,220 | $28,570 | $28,930 |
| 5 | Retail Salespersons | 141,790 | $31,200 | $34,530 |
| 6 | Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | 131,050 | $42,480 | $43,130 |
| 7 | Stockers and Order Fillers | 119,840 | $36,640 | $38,380 |
| 8 | Cashiers | 110,950 | $29,220 | $29,880 |
Wages by metro area
- Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ
- Altoona, PA
- Chambersburg, PA
- Erie, PA
- Gettysburg, PA
- Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA
- Johnstown, PA
- Lancaster, PA
- Lebanon, PA
- Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD
- Pittsburgh, PA
- Reading, PA
- Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA
- State College, PA
- Williamsport, PA
- York-Hanover, PA
- Central Pennsylvania nonmetropolitan area
- Northeastern Pennsylvania nonmetropolitan area
- Northwestern Pennsylvania nonmetropolitan area
- Southwestern Pennsylvania nonmetropolitan area
Visa filings for jobs in this state
Employer filings with the Department of Labor
- H-1B (FY 2026 through Q3)11,018 certified, median offer $107,911
- PERM (FY 2026 through Q3)3,021 certified, median offer $80,080
Top H-1B employers in Pennsylvania
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| # | Employer | Certified | Median wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania | 336 | $80,056 |
| 2 | University of Pittsburgh | 215 | $70,000 |
| 3 | Deloitte Consulting LLP | 201 | $128,960 |
| 4 | SAP America, Inc. | 185 | $154,950 |
| 5 | The Pennsylvania State University | 174 | $84,000 |
| 6 | Ernst & Young U.S. LLP | 169 | $175,000 |
| 7 | Comcast Cable Communications, LLC | 161 | $128,970 |
| 8 | Cognizant Technology Solutions US Corp | 156 | $117,582 |
More Pennsylvania labor data
- Unemployment by county3.6% statewide
- Jobs by industry6.21 million jobs, +0.7% in a year
- Minimum wage$7.25 an hour
- Unemployment benefits$476 a week on average
- Union membership10.9% in 2025
- Federal job openings400 open now
Frequently asked questions
- What is the median wage in Pennsylvania?
- The median wage for all occupations in Pennsylvania is $49,690 a year (Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2025).
- What is the unemployment rate in Pennsylvania?
- Pennsylvania's unemployment rate was 3.6% in Sep 2026 (seasonally adjusted).
- What is the highest paying job in Pennsylvania?
- Cardiologists have the highest median wage among occupations with at least 100 jobs in Pennsylvania: $579,120 a year.