Harrisburg, PA – Today, the Pennsylvania Workforce Development Association (PWDA) released its latest “Pennsylvania Workforce Trends” report, revealing that recent wage growth in Pennsylvania surpasses pre-pandemic levels and outpaces the national average. “Pennsylvania’s Workforce Trends” is part of a series on the latest workforce development and labor market information impacting Pennsylvania that distills critical information for policymakers and stakeholders to develop responsive workforce development policy.
“Pennsylvania’s wage growth is ahead of both its pre-pandemic levels and the national average,” said Carrie Amann, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Workforce Development Association. “In Pennsylvania, we’re seeing strong wage growth for many workers including lower-wage workers, indicating a period of opportunity as employers are willing to pay more to attract and retain talent. Our workforce development system now has a unique chance to help more Pennsylvanians share in this prosperity.”
Key Findings:
- Pennsylvania Wage Growth Exceeding Pre-Pandemic Levels: Pennsylvania’s inflation-adjusted wages in 2023 have not only returned to but slightly exceeded their pre-pandemic levels. The Bureau of Labor Statistics also reports nearly a 4% increase in average hourly earnings for non-supervisory employees from 2019 to mid-2024.
- Pennsylvania Wage Growth Outpaces U.S.: Pennsylvania’s overall wage growth from 2019 to 2023 has been slightly faster than the U.S. average. Pennsylvania’s wages have grown across all income levels but still lag the U.S.’s at lower income levels. In the 10th percentile, U.S. wages grew by 13.4%, compared to 9.2% in Pennsylvania, likely due to other states raising their minimum wages. In 2023, Pennsylvania’s median wage reached 104% of the national median wage, its highest level since 1997.
- Wage Growth By Local Workforce Development Areas (LWDAs): From the first quarter of 2019 to the fourth quarter of 2023, 15 of Pennsylvania’s 22 LWDAs saw growth in average weekly wages. Lancaster County led with a 6.3% increase, likely due to its low unemployment rate. However, some suburban Philadelphia counties experienced wage declines during this period, including Montgomery, Delaware, and Chester Counties.
The Pennsylvania Workforce Development Association (PWDA) serves as the voice of the Pennsylvania workforce development system and a clearinghouse for workforce development information statewide. Known for Pennsylvania’s premier annual workforce development gathering every spring, we provide development and capacity building opportunities to workforce development professionals, local workforce development boards (WDBs), and other stakeholders while continuing proactive advocacy efforts on behalf of Pennsylvania’s workforce development system. Learn more by visiting https://www.pawork.org
Click on the image below for the full report.
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