What Is the Average Salary in Philadelphia?

Understanding income potential in Philadelphia involves more than a single number. This overview aims to demystify salary data, offering insights into what workers can expect to earn and how various factors influence earning potential within the city.

Understanding Salary Averages

When examining salary data, two primary metrics offer different perspectives: the mean and the median. The mean salary, also known as the arithmetic average, is calculated by summing all salaries and dividing by the total number of salaries. This figure can be influenced significantly by a few very high or very low earners, potentially skewing the overall representation. Conversely, the median salary represents the middle value in a dataset, where half of the salaries are higher and half are lower. The median often provides a more accurate reflection of typical earnings, as it is less affected by extreme values.

Overall Salary Landscape in Philadelphia

The salary landscape in Philadelphia reflects a dynamic regional economy. As of August 2025, the average annual salary in Philadelphia is around $70,533. Earlier data from May 2024 for the Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington Metropolitan Statistical Area reported a mean hourly wage of $33.47, translating to about $69,617 annually. The median annual salary for Philadelphia stands at $64,006 as of August 2025. This median figure suggests that half of the workers in the city earn less than this amount, and half earn more. Most salaries in Philadelphia generally range between $51,789 (25th percentile) and $87,713 (75th percentile) annually.

Key Factors Affecting Salaries

Several critical factors influence salary levels across Philadelphia, leading to variations in earning potential. The industry or sector plays a substantial role, with some fields commanding higher wages. For instance, management occupations and legal professions reported higher average hourly wages ($71.47 and $62.11 respectively, as of May 2024). In contrast, sectors such as healthcare support, food preparation and serving, and personal care services typically exhibit lower average hourly wages, ranging from about $17.51 to $18.61.

An individual’s experience also directly impacts salary progression. Entry-level positions generally start at lower pay scales, while mid-career professionals can expect higher compensation. Senior-level roles, requiring extensive expertise and leadership, typically offer the highest salaries.

Education and qualifications further shape earning potential. Data consistently shows a positive correlation between higher educational attainment and increased earnings. Individuals with advanced degrees generally earn more than those with only a bachelor’s degree. Professional certifications and specialized training can also enhance an individual’s value, leading to higher salaries in specific fields.

Cost of Living Context

Understanding average salaries in Philadelphia requires considering the city’s cost of living, which impacts purchasing power. Philadelphia’s overall cost of living is higher than the national average, between 4% and 14% more expensive. This elevated cost is primarily driven by housing expenses, which are notably above the national average.

Housing costs for a single person are approximately 26% higher than the national average, while a family of four can expect similar elevated housing expenses. Transportation costs in Philadelphia are generally higher than the national average, as are utilities. While some sources suggest food expenses might be slightly below or similar to the national average, others indicate they are higher. Despite these higher costs, Philadelphia remains more affordable than some other major U.S. cities like New York or San Francisco.

Accessing Reliable Salary Data

For specific salary information in Philadelphia, several reliable resources are available. Government sources, such as the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), provide comprehensive occupational employment and wage statistics for metropolitan areas. The BLS data offers detailed breakdowns by occupation, providing average hourly and annual wages, and can be accessed through their Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) program.

Beyond government data, several reputable private salary aggregation websites offer valuable insights. Platforms like Salary.com, Gusto, ZipRecruiter, Indeed, Payscale, and Glassdoor compile extensive salary data based on job postings, user submissions, and employer reports. These sites typically allow users to search for salaries by job title, industry, and location, providing median, average, and salary ranges.