Pennsylvania Salaries 2025
Healthcare powerhouse with affordable Northeast living
Median Household Income
Pennsylvania Salary Overview 2025
Pennsylvania offers Northeast location and opportunity with costs well below NYC, Boston, or DC. The state's median household income of $67,000 approaches the national average, while PA's cost of living (95 index) and remarkably low flat 3.07% income tax create genuine value.
Philadelphia and Pittsburgh anchor the economy as distinct metros. Philadelphia hosts healthcare giants (Penn Medicine, Jefferson), pharma operations, and finance (Comcast, Vanguard nearby). Pittsburgh has transformed from steel city to healthcare and tech hub (UPMC, CMU robotics).
PA's flat 3.07% income tax is among the lowest in the Northeast, though Philadelphia adds substantial local taxes. For comprehensive salary data, see salary trends 2025.
Pennsylvania Salary Snapshot
| Metric | Pennsylvania | National Average |
|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $67,000 | $74,580 |
| Mean Household Income | $89,000 | $97,300 |
| Per Capita Income | $37,500 | $37,638 |
| Cost of Living Index | 95 | 100 |
| State Income Tax | 3.07% flat | Varies |
Salaries by Pennsylvania Region
Philadelphia Metro
Median Household Income: $72,000
Philadelphia is a healthcare and pharma hub. Penn Medicine, Jefferson Health, and CHOP provide world-class healthcare employment. Comcast headquarters, Vanguard (Malvern), and financial services add corporate jobs. Software engineers $90,000-$150,000, healthcare researchers $75,000-$140,000. Note: Philadelphia wage tax (3.75%+ for residents) adds to burden.
Pittsburgh Metro
Median Household Income: $65,000
Pittsburgh transformed from steel to "eds and meds." UPMC is the region's largest employer and a top health system. Carnegie Mellon drives robotics, AI, and tech. Google, Apple, Uber, and Aurora maintain Pittsburgh offices for autonomous vehicle work. Software engineers $85,000-$145,000, robotics $90,000-$160,000. Very affordable ($250,000 median home).
Lehigh Valley (Allentown, Bethlehem)
Median Household Income: $68,000
Growing region between Philadelphia and NYC. Healthcare, logistics, and manufacturing. Affordable ($320,000 median) with NYC accessibility.
| Region | Median Income | Median Home | Key Industries |
|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia | $72,000 | $300,000 | Healthcare, Pharma, Finance |
| Philly Suburbs | $95,000 | $480,000 | Pharma, Finance, Tech |
| Pittsburgh | $65,000 | $250,000 | Healthcare, Tech, Robotics |
| Lehigh Valley | $68,000 | $320,000 | Healthcare, Logistics |
Top Paying Industries in Pennsylvania
Healthcare
Pennsylvania is a healthcare powerhouse. Penn Medicine and UPMC are nationally ranked systems. CHOP is among the world's best children's hospitals. Physicians $280,000-$500,000+, nurses $65,000-$90,000, healthcare IT $70,000-$130,000, researchers $75,000-$150,000.
Technology & Robotics (Pittsburgh)
Carnegie Mellon's robotics program has spawned an autonomous vehicle ecosystem. Aurora, Argo AI (closed but talent remains), Google, Apple, and Uber maintain Pittsburgh operations. Robotics engineers $95,000-$170,000, ML engineers $100,000-$180,000.
Financial Services
Vanguard (Malvern), Comcast, numerous insurance companies. Philadelphia has substantial financial services employment. Analysts $65,000-$120,000, IT $75,000-$140,000.
Pharmaceuticals
GSK, Merck operations, and numerous pharma companies have Pennsylvania presence. Scientists $80,000-$160,000, regulatory $70,000-$130,000.
| Industry | Entry Level | Mid-Career | Senior Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Healthcare (Physicians) | $280,000 | $380,000 | $500,000+ |
| Robotics/AI (Pittsburgh) | $90,000 | $130,000 | $180,000+ |
| Software Engineering | $75,000 | $110,000 | $155,000+ |
| Financial Services | $60,000 | $95,000 | $150,000+ |
Pennsylvania Tax Analysis
Flat 3.07% State Income Tax
Pennsylvania's flat rate is among the Northeast's lowest:
| Salary | PA Tax (3.07%) | NJ Tax | NY Tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| $75,000 | $2,303 | ~$4,000 | ~$4,500 |
| $100,000 | $3,070 | ~$5,500 | ~$6,500 |
| $150,000 | $4,605 | ~$9,000 | ~$11,000 |
Philadelphia Wage Tax: 3.75% for residents, 3.44% for non-residents working in city. This significantly increases tax burden for Philadelphia workers.
Local Earned Income Tax: Most PA municipalities levy 1-3% local tax.
Property Tax: Average 1.49%—above national average.
Highest Paying Jobs in Pennsylvania 2025
| Occupation | Average Salary | Top 10% Earn |
|---|---|---|
| Physicians (Penn/UPMC) | $320,000 | $500,000+ |
| IT Directors | $150,000 | $200,000+ |
| Robotics Engineers | $135,000 | $180,000+ |
| Software Architects | $145,000 | $190,000+ |
| Pharmacists | $120,000 | $145,000+ |
Frequently Asked Questions
Philadelphia vs. Pittsburgh?
Very different cities. Philadelphia is larger, more expensive, closer to NYC with healthcare/pharma strength. Pittsburgh is smaller, more affordable, with tech/robotics focus and "small city" feel. Both have excellent healthcare. Pittsburgh offers better value; Philadelphia offers more scale.
How does the Philadelphia wage tax work?
Philadelphia residents pay 3.75%+ on all earned income regardless of where they work. Non-residents working in Philadelphia pay 3.44% on Philadelphia-sourced income. This effectively doubles the tax rate for city workers compared to state rate alone.
Is Pittsburgh's tech scene real?
Yes. Carnegie Mellon is a top computer science and robotics school globally. The autonomous vehicle ecosystem is substantial. Major companies maintain engineering offices. Salaries approach coastal levels while costs remain 40-50% lower.