Economy, jobs and prices in Pennsylvania, United States: official figures
The economy of Pennsylvania (gross domestic product) was worth $1.06 trillion in 2025 at current prices, 3.4% of the US total of $30.86 trillion; 6th largest of 51. In current dollars it was up 4.7% on 2024.
How fast is the economy of Pennsylvania growing?
After adjusting for inflation, real GDP in Pennsylvania grew 1.8% in 2025, against 2.3% for the United States; 23rd slowest-growing of 51.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis · saved copyWhat is the GDP per capita of Pennsylvania?
Dividing 2025 GDP by the Census Bureau's population estimate gives $80,898 of output per resident, against $90,294 for the US economy divided by the population of the 50 states and DC; 25th lowest of 51.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis · saved copyIs the economy of Pennsylvania growing or shrinking?
In the second quarter of 2026, real GDP in Pennsylvania grew at an annual rate of 2.5% (United States: 2.2%); tied for 14th fastest-growing of 51.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis · saved copyWhat are the main industries in Pennsylvania?
In 2025 the largest private industry in Pennsylvania's economy was real estate, rental and leasing (12.8% of GDP), followed by health care and social assistance (10.5%) and manufacturing (10.1%). Government accounted for 8.6%; the manufacturing share was 20th highest of 51 (United States: 9.5%).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis · saved copyHow much do people in Pennsylvania spend?
Consumer spending (personal consumption expenditures) in Pennsylvania came to $62,438 per person in 2025 (United States: $61,062); 18th highest of 51.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis · saved copyIs Pennsylvania expensive to live in?
Prices in Pennsylvania were 2.4% below the national average in 2024, by BEA's regional price parity of 97.6 (US = 100), which covers goods, services and housing; 24th most expensive of 51.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis · saved copyWhat is the inflation rate in Pennsylvania?
Prices in Pennsylvania rose 2.8% in 2024, measured by BEA's implicit regional price deflator, against 2.6% nationally (PCE price index).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis · saved copyWhat is the per capita income in Pennsylvania?
Personal income per person in Pennsylvania was $75,370 in 2025, against $77,028 for the United States; 22nd highest of 51. It was up 5.4% on 2024 and up 25.0% on 2020, before inflation.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis · saved copyWhat is the disposable income per person in Pennsylvania?
After taxes, disposable personal income per person was $65,978 in 2025 (United States: $67,251); 22nd highest of 51.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis · saved copyHow far does income go in Pennsylvania?
Adjusted for local price levels, real personal income per person in Pennsylvania was $58,620 in 2024 in 2017 dollars (United States: $59,195); 24th highest of 51.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis · saved copyWhat is the median household income in Pennsylvania?
Median household income in Pennsylvania was $77,545 in 2024 (margin of error ±$816), against $81,604 for the United States; 24th lowest of 51 by the point estimate. It was up 2.0% on 2023 after adjusting for inflation (American Community Survey).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow unequal are incomes in Pennsylvania?
The Gini index of household income inequality in Pennsylvania was 0.475 in 2024 (0 means equal incomes, 1 means one household has everything; United States: 0.481); tied for 12th most unequal of 51.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat is the unemployment rate in Pennsylvania?
The unemployment rate in Pennsylvania was 3.6% in September 2026 (seasonally adjusted, preliminary), down from 4.4% a year earlier; tied for 20th lowest of 51. The rate for the 50 states and DC combined was 4.2%.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · saved copyHow many people are unemployed in Pennsylvania?
In September 2026, 240,509 people in Pennsylvania were unemployed and 6,422,534 employed, out of a labor force of 6,663,043.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · saved copyWhat was the unemployment rate in Pennsylvania in 2025?
Over 2025 the unemployment rate in Pennsylvania averaged 4.3% (an 11-month average: October 2025 was not collected during the federal shutdown), against 3.8% in 2024; tied for 16th highest of 51. The lowest annual rate since 1976 was 3.7% in 2023.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · saved copyWhat is the average salary in Pennsylvania?
Workers covered by unemployment insurance in Pennsylvania were paid $74,308 on average in 2025 ($1,429 a week), up 3.6% on 2024; the US average was $78,720. That is 17th highest of 51.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · saved copyHow many jobs are there in Pennsylvania?
Employers in Pennsylvania had an average of 6,053,191 jobs on their payrolls in 2025 across 389,774 establishments, up 0.6% on 2024 (United States: up 0.5%).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · saved copyWhat is the median wage in Pennsylvania?
The median annual wage across all occupations in Pennsylvania was $49,690 in May 2025 (mean $65,730); 26th highest of 51. One in ten workers earned less than $28,920 and one in ten more than $117,860.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · saved copyWhat is the most common job in Pennsylvania?
The most common occupation in Pennsylvania in May 2025 was home health and personal care aides, with 257,370 workers and a median annual wage of $29,420.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · saved copyWhat is the median household income in Pennsylvania?
Median household income in Pennsylvania was $77,532 in 2024, 23rd lowest among the 50 states and DC (U.S.: $81,604). In 2019 it was $63,455, so it has risen 22.2% before allowing for inflation.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat is the average rent in Pennsylvania?
The median gross rent in Pennsylvania, including utilities, was $1,252 a month in 2024, up 4.6% on 2023 ($1,197); 22nd lowest among the 50 states and DC (U.S.: $1,487).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat is the median home value in Pennsylvania?
Homeowners in Pennsylvania valued their homes at a median of $277,600 in 2024, up 6.8% on 2023 ($259,900); 16th lowest among the 50 states and DC (U.S.: $360,600).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow affordable are homes in Pennsylvania?
The median home value in Pennsylvania was 3.6 times the median household income in 2024 ($277,600 against $77,532); 16th lowest ratio among the 50 states and DC (U.S.: 4.4).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyIs rent affordable in Pennsylvania?
A household on the median income in Pennsylvania would spend 19.4% of its income on the median rent of $1,252 a month in 2024 (U.S.: 21.9%).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow Pennsylvania compares with other states
Gross domestic product, 2025 (current dollars) (2025)
Pennsylvania ranks 6 of 51, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Gross domestic product, 2025 (current dollars) |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | New York | $2.47 trillion |
| 4 | Florida | $1.81 trillion |
| 5 | Illinois | $1.24 trillion |
| 6 | Pennsylvania | $1.06 trillion |
| 7 | Ohio | $976.9 billion |
| 8 | Georgia | $936.1 billion |
| 9 | North Carolina | $895.9 billion |
GDP per resident, 2025 (BEA GDP / Census population) (2025)
Pennsylvania ranks 27 of 51, highest first.
| Rank | Region | GDP per resident, 2025 (BEA GDP / Census population) |
|---|---|---|
| 24 | Iowa | $83,973 |
| 25 | Georgia | $82,819 |
| 26 | Ohio | $82,087 |
| 27 | Pennsylvania | $80,898 |
| 28 | Oregon | $80,317 |
| 29 | Wisconsin | $80,160 |
| 30 | Tennessee | $80,137 |
Real GDP growth, 2025 (2025)
Pennsylvania ranks 29 of 51, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Real GDP growth, 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| 26 | Vermont | 1.9% |
| 27 | Colorado | 1.9% |
| 28 | Indiana | 1.9% |
| 29 | Pennsylvania | 1.8% |
| 30 | North Carolina | 1.8% |
| 31 | New Mexico | 1.8% |
| 32 | South Dakota | 1.8% |
Real GDP growth, 2026:Q2 (annual rate) (2026:Q2)
Pennsylvania ranks 15 of 51, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Real GDP growth, 2026:Q2 (annual rate) |
|---|---|---|
| 12 | Vermont | 2.7% |
| 13 | Alabama | 2.6% |
| 14 | California | 2.5% |
| 15 | Pennsylvania | 2.5% |
| 16 | Arizona | 2.5% |
| 17 | Michigan | 2.4% |
| 18 | Wisconsin | 2.4% |
Personal income per person, 2025 (2025)
Pennsylvania ranks 22 of 51, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Personal income per person, 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| 19 | Hawaii | $76,966 |
| 20 | Nebraska | $76,055 |
| 21 | Vermont | $75,723 |
| 22 | Pennsylvania | $75,370 |
| 23 | Rhode Island | $75,233 |
| 24 | Nevada | $73,767 |
| 25 | Oregon | $73,283 |
Real personal income per person, 2024 (adjusted for local prices, 2017 dollars) (2024)
Pennsylvania ranks 24 of 51, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Real personal income per person, 2024 (adjusted for local prices, 2017 dollars) |
|---|---|---|
| 21 | Kansas | $59,172 |
| 22 | Vermont | $58,893 |
| 23 | Oklahoma | $58,692 |
| 24 | Pennsylvania | $58,620 |
| 25 | Tennessee | $58,582 |
| 26 | Wisconsin | $58,273 |
| 27 | Texas | $58,219 |
Median household income, 2024 (ACS) (2024)
Pennsylvania ranks 28 of 51, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Median household income, 2024 (ACS) |
|---|---|---|
| 25 | Texas | $79,721 |
| 26 | North Dakota | $77,871 |
| 27 | Florida | $77,735 |
| 28 | Pennsylvania | $77,545 |
| 29 | Wisconsin | $77,488 |
| 30 | South Dakota | $76,881 |
| 31 | Maine | $76,442 |
Regional price parity, 2024 (US = 100) (2024)
Pennsylvania ranks 24 of 51, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Regional price parity, 2024 (US = 100) |
|---|---|---|
| 21 | Utah | 98.9 |
| 22 | Minnesota | 98.6 |
| 23 | Vermont | 98.0 |
| 24 | Pennsylvania | 97.6 |
| 25 | Texas | 97.1 |
| 26 | Maine | 97.0 |
| 27 | Georgia | 96.3 |
Unemployment rate, September 2026 (seasonally adjusted) (September 2026)
Pennsylvania ranks 28 of 51, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Unemployment rate, September 2026 (seasonally adjusted) |
|---|---|---|
| 25 | Maryland | 3.9% |
| 26 | Arkansas | 3.9% |
| 27 | Kansas | 3.8% |
| 28 | Pennsylvania | 3.6% |
| 29 | Virginia | 3.6% |
| 30 | Missouri | 3.6% |
| 31 | Idaho | 3.6% |
Unemployment rate, 2025 annual average (2025)
Pennsylvania ranks 17 of 51, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Unemployment rate, 2025 annual average |
|---|---|---|
| 14 | South Carolina | 4.5% |
| 15 | Rhode Island | 4.5% |
| 16 | New York | 4.3% |
| 17 | Pennsylvania | 4.3% |
| 18 | Arizona | 4.3% |
| 19 | Louisiana | 4.3% |
| 20 | Texas | 4.2% |
Labor force participation rate, September 2026 (September 2026)
Pennsylvania ranks 21 of 51, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Labor force participation rate, September 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 18 | Indiana | 63.1% |
| 19 | Illinois | 63.0% |
| 20 | Virginia | 62.7% |
| 21 | Pennsylvania | 62.6% |
| 22 | Oregon | 62.6% |
| 23 | Nevada | 62.3% |
| 24 | Connecticut | 62.1% |
Average annual pay, 2025 (QCEW) (2025)
Pennsylvania ranks 17 of 51, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Average annual pay, 2025 (QCEW) |
|---|---|---|
| 14 | Minnesota | $76,940 |
| 15 | Delaware | $75,665 |
| 16 | Alaska | $75,391 |
| 17 | Pennsylvania | $74,308 |
| 18 | Oregon | $73,706 |
| 19 | Georgia | $73,032 |
| 20 | Arizona | $72,894 |
Median annual wage, all occupations, May 2025 (OEWS) (May 2025)
Pennsylvania ranks 26 of 51, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Median annual wage, all occupations, May 2025 (OEWS) |
|---|---|---|
| 23 | Wyoming | $50,270 |
| 24 | Utah | $50,110 |
| 25 | Arizona | $50,060 |
| 26 | Pennsylvania | $49,690 |
| 27 | Ohio | $49,380 |
| 28 | Michigan | $49,270 |
| 29 | Nebraska | $48,980 |
Median household income (2024)
Pennsylvania ranks 29 of 51, highest first. Census Bureau SAIPE model estimates
| Rank | Region | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| 26 | Texas | $79,723 |
| 27 | Florida | $77,687 |
| 28 | Wisconsin | $77,557 |
| 29 | Pennsylvania | $77,532 |
| 30 | South Dakota | $77,494 |
| 31 | Wyoming | $76,975 |
| 32 | Nebraska | $76,578 |
Median gross rent (monthly) (2024)
Pennsylvania ranks 30 of 51, highest first. Renter-occupied units paying cash rent
| Rank | Region | Median gross rent (monthly) |
|---|---|---|
| 27 | Minnesota | $1,291 |
| 28 | Tennessee | $1,284 |
| 29 | South Carolina | $1,272 |
| 30 | Pennsylvania | $1,252 |
| 31 | Maine | $1,210 |
| 32 | Montana | $1,177 |
| 33 | Michigan | $1,168 |
Median value of owner-occupied homes (2024)
Pennsylvania ranks 36 of 51, highest first. Owner-reported value
| Rank | Region | Median value of owner-occupied homes |
|---|---|---|
| 33 | South Dakota | $289,600 |
| 34 | Illinois | $280,700 |
| 35 | New Mexico | $279,900 |
| 36 | Pennsylvania | $277,600 |
| 37 | North Dakota | $266,100 |
| 38 | Nebraska | $263,100 |
| 39 | Missouri | $254,400 |
More on Pennsylvania: overview · health · education and schools · poverty and living standards · government budget · the United States
Sources
- U.S. Census Bureau: Household Income in States and Metropolitan Areas: 2024 (ACSBR-025), Appendix Table 1: median household income and Gini index by state, 2023 and 2024 American Community Survey, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 5de1b0d5ec46…)
- U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis: SASUMMARY: State annual summary statistics: personal income, GDP, consumer spending, price indexes, and employment (updated 30 September 2026), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 a3757d207c05…)
- U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis: SAGDP: Annual GDP by state, 1997-2025 (table SAGDP2, GDP in current dollars by industry), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 3d3c5bc7bd24…)
- U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis: SQGDP: Quarterly GDP by state, 2005-2026 Q2 (table SQGDP11, percent change in real GDP at annual rate), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 1649260cdceb…)
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Local Area Unemployment Statistics: employment status of the civilian noninstitutional population, states, monthly, seasonally adjusted, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 7bb6f18d4145…)
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Local Area Unemployment Statistics: employment status of the civilian noninstitutional population, states, annual averages 1976-2025, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 262aba7d00df…)
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 state estimates (state_M2025_dl.xlsx), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 74d5be0e1df8…)
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2025 annual averages, all industries (open data CSV slice), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 5a5f89142aae…)
- U.S. Census Bureau: American Community Survey 2024 1-year estimates, table-based summary file: Median gross rent (B25064), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 8624f9775add…)
- U.S. Census Bureau: American Community Survey 2024 1-year estimates, table-based summary file: Median value of owner-occupied homes (B25077), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 27120d5d8a5f…)
- U.S. Census Bureau: Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates (SAIPE): 2024 poverty and median household income, states and counties, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 cb52c47d75c1…)
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