City Town Info

State College Employment

Employment and Industries in the State College, Pennsylvania Area

The tables here illustrate essential information about work and employment in the area. Information includes:

  • A table of the most numerous types of work found here, both for jobs generally requiring college degrees and jobs not requiring college degrees.
  • A table listing those careers significantly more common in State College than in other US cities; this is useful both for career planning and for understanding the nature of State College.
  • A list of the highest-paying jobs in State College.
  • A list of any large public companies in State College.

Most Popular Jobs in State College, Pennsylvania Metro Area (2008 data)

Where the Majority of Workers Have College Degrees

RankTitleLocal JobsLocal Mean SalaryTypical Local SalaryNational Growth % 2006-2016National % With College Degree
1Registered nurses1,18050,630$33,140 - 79,34024%56%
2Elementary school teachers, except special education65052,070$32,510 - 74,50014%95%
3Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products52061,810$31,410 - 110,9208%51%
4Secondary school teachers, except special and vocational education34051,510$34,290 - 76,1906%96%
5Accountants and auditors29058,660$34,950 - 94,33018%79%
6Middle school teachers, except special and vocational education25055,110$36,630 - 77,96011%95%
7Computer software engineers, systems software24076,920$54,620 - 118,73028%85%
8Computer software engineers, applications24083,890$55,620 - 121,51045%85%
9Financial managers19075,980$42,880 - 114,94013%60%
10Instructional coordinators18048,610$32,660 - 66,84023%79%
11Management analysts180101,030$31,500 - 22%78%
12Child, family, and school social workers18030,240$21,650 - 41,88019%77%
13Social and human service assistants17029,300$21,900 - 39,34034%58%
14Civil engineers17076,010$45,510 - 105,82018%87%
15Legislators16020,480$15,370 - 31,8701%65%
16Network and computer systems administrators15051,640$36,480 - 71,12027%50%
17Teachers and instructors, all other15025,790$15,340 - 50,2809%54%
18Training and development specialists14036,000$17,400 - 58,50018%56%
19Computer programmers14056,930$33,180 - 113,3000%73%
20Coaches and scouts14034,470$15,530 - 74,53015%60%
21Market research analysts13070,470$20,940 - 130,23020%82%
22Employment, recruitment, and placement specialists12037,570$16,580 - 64,10018%56%
23Librarians12059,090$36,990 - 81,9304%85%
24Self-enrichment education teachers12037,280$21,740 - 55,80023%54%
25Lawyers120108,190$42,810 - 11%99%
26Public relations specialists12049,250$28,400 - 87,17018%81%
27Chief executives120120,030$49,500 - 2%65%
28Computer specialists, all other12053,760$30,170 - 84,52015%68%
29Industrial engineers11069,260$38,060 - 108,95020%74%
30Securities, commodities, and financial services sales agents10071,280$25,690 - 125,66025%67%
31Human resources, training, and labor relations specialists, all other10031,560$15,160 - 67,59017%56%
32Graphic designers10037,790$25,730 - 57,44010%55%
33Pharmacists10088,390$64,970 - 115,99022%97%
34Network systems and data communications analysts9077,820$40,000 - 125,17053%57%
35Mental health counselors8035,680$19,810 - 50,88030%73%
36Special education teachers, preschool, kindergarten, and elementary school8052,270$35,020 - 76,40020%87%
37Electronics engineers, except computer8086,920$46,040 - 137,3904%81%
38Architects, except landscape and naval7061,440$40,810 - 90,48018%88%
39Sales managers7075,870$36,430 - 121,17010%69%
40Medical and health services managers70 $ - 16%57%
41Personal financial advisors7060,700$37,420 - 83,95041%81%
42Marketing managers60107,860$68,480 - 160,08014%69%
43Special education teachers, middle school6048,580$24,830 - 73,12016%87%
44Meeting and convention planners6040,660$27,200 - 55,04020%67%
45Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, technical and scientific products6047,340$27,700 - 95,49012%51%
46Editors60 $ - 2%81%
47Engineering managers60123,790$43,930 - 7%84%
48Social and community service managers5045,420$29,800 - 65,80025%72%
49Compliance officers, except agriculture, construction, health and safety, and transportation5042,720$27,710 - 67,0805%58%
50Rehabilitation counselors5029,460$17,800 - 51,57023%73%
51Clergy5031,780$15,690 - 42,81019%75%
52Substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors5048,730$22,470 - 65,36034%73%
53Education administrators, elementary and secondary school5086,200$52,670 - 121,6908%78%
54Financial specialists, all other5045,510$23,650 - 76,76012%50%
55Physical therapists5068,900$33,100 - 101,83027%89%
56Producers and directors5045,800$29,980 - 68,09011%75%
57Computer and information systems managers50136,030$77,420 - 16%73%
58Surveyors4047,260$30,950 - 62,26024%82%
59Advertising sales agents4043,640$30,710 - 73,66020%56%
60Materials scientists4077,330$48,330 - 104,7109%93%
61Compensation and benefits managers4086,190$55,180 - 123,58012%58%
62Special education teachers, secondary school4054,570$38,360 - 79,9709%87%
63Financial analysts4064,960$44,420 - 95,56034%87%
64Medical and public health social workers3046,380$29,420 - 65,83024%77%
65Mechanical engineers3068,340$49,260 - 84,0404%78%

Where the Majority of Workers Do Not Have College Degrees

RankTitleLocal JobsLocal Mean SalaryTypical Local SalaryNational Growth % 2006-2016National % With College Degree
1Retail salespersons2,90023,340$15,330 - 37,84012%25%
2Cashiers2,06017,640$15,240 - 22,010-2%10%
3Secretaries, except legal, medical, and executive1,44028,330$20,640 - 37,2401%18%
4Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners1,40024,610$16,380 - 32,34015%4%
5Waiters and waitresses1,37017,840$15,290 - 20,88011%14%
6Combined food preparation and serving workers, including fast food1,29018,100$15,280 - 24,06018%5%
7Teacher assistants1,25035,680$15,970 - 64,59010%18%
8Customer service representatives1,05027,780$16,420 - 42,23025%22%
9Maintenance and repair workers, general95027,670$16,080 - 40,65010%6%
10Home health aides78019,950$15,410 - 25,84049%7%
11Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks73028,740$16,450 - 40,95013%16%
12Executive secretaries and administrative assistants70041,320$20,580 - 61,39015%18%
13Construction laborers67026,510$20,860 - 32,60011%5%
14Truck drivers, heavy and tractor-trailer64040,830$26,110 - 56,00010%4%
15Stock clerks and order fillers62023,450$16,060 - 37,220-7%8%
16Food preparation workers59024,850$16,020 - 35,90015%7%
17Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants58022,990$16,740 - 30,20018%7%
18First-line supervisors/managers of food preparation and serving workers56030,980$17,480 - 43,53011%14%
19Receptionists and information clerks54023,160$16,150 - 31,43017%13%
20Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand50021,900$15,580 - 30,3102%5%
21Cooks, restaurant50021,680$15,510 - 33,58012%5%
22First-line supervisors/managers of retail sales workers45040,100$26,090 - 56,6004%25%
23First-line supervisors/managers of office and administrative support workers45044,590$27,830 - 62,9206%29%
24Bus drivers, school45025,590$15,500 - 32,6709%4%
25Landscaping and groundskeeping workers45026,150$16,930 - 39,06018%6%
26Bartenders44017,380$15,270 - 20,56011%17%
27Maids and housekeeping cleaners44019,120$15,260 - 25,25013%5%
28Automotive service technicians and mechanics42033,290$16,240 - 50,82014%4%
29Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators42046,890$28,630 - 70,6408%3%
30Computer support specialists37040,940$27,750 - 59,89013%43%
31General and operations managers36083,570$31,780 - 140,1702%48%
32Carpenters35048,180$25,450 - 99,89010%6%
33Truck drivers, light or delivery services35030,720$18,120 - 46,3508%4%
34Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses33029,640$23,070 - 37,22014%7%
35Counter and rental clerks32020,600$15,180 - 33,31023%16%
36Team assemblers29021,390$15,490 - 34,8200%5%
37First-line supervisors/managers of construction trades and extraction workers29047,450$35,650 - 60,1209%10%
38Tellers28023,090$17,830 - 30,12014%16%
39Cooks, short order28019,340$15,720 - 26,0005%5%
40Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers27016,580$15,220 - 19,61012%6%
41Dishwashers25016,580$15,240 - 19,32010%3%
42Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers23028,810$21,370 - 44,880-6%14%
43First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers21048,140$28,710 - 68,910-4%15%
44Police and sheriff's patrol officers20056,320$38,890 - 74,59011%33%
45Preschool teachers, except special education20021,380$15,730 - 27,87026%43%
46Cooks, fast food20019,140$15,420 - 25,5208%5%
47Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks20019,700$15,390 - 28,71017%14%
48Hosts and hostesses, restaurant, lounge, and coffee shop20022,690$15,300 - 45,46010%17%
49Child care workers20020,290$15,540 - 27,45018%15%
50Insurance sales agents19043,800$18,690 - 67,45013%45%
51Helpers--production workers19021,880$17,020 - 29,3500%4%
52Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers19039,070$24,440 - 51,1009%3%
53Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters19040,120$25,830 - 57,46011%4%
54Laundry and dry-cleaning workers18022,020$15,440 - 31,95010%5%
55Library assistants, clerical170 8%37%
56Cooks, institution and cafeteria16023,960$15,720 - 34,20011%5%
57Personal and home care aides16019,160$16,310 - 23,69051%10%
58Driver/sales workers16027,660$15,500 - 46,330-4%4%
59Shipping, receiving, and traffic clerks16026,890$16,340 - 41,6804%6%
60Purchasing agents, except wholesale, retail, and farm products15045,850$27,960 - 73,1300%42%
61Postal service mail carriers150 1%11%
62Loan officers15046,370$27,180 - 67,16012%49%
63First-line supervisors/managers of mechanics, installers, and repairers14051,450$35,470 - 70,1307%13%
64Computer-controlled machine tool operators, metal and plastic14033,030$23,070 - 42,390-2%6%
65Amusement and recreation attendants14017,070$15,000 - 22,97024%22%
66Food service managers14040,030$16,810 - 72,0005%24%
67Machinists14034,580$25,500 - 48,960-2%3%
68Electrical and electronic equipment assemblers13029,360$21,140 - 39,580-26%6%
69Dental assistants13029,810$21,840 - 39,63029%9%
70Cost estimators13048,930$26,210 - 80,52019%32%
71Medical records and health information technicians130 18%12%
72Security guards13028,900$18,680 - 45,87017%13%
73Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists13025,240$16,110 - 33,87012%6%
74Administrative services managers13059,610$34,860 - 96,97012%40%
75Electricians12039,650$25,880 - 51,9407%7%
76Lifeguards, ski patrol, and other recreational protective service workers12017,130$15,120 - 19,83019%31%
77Telecommunications line installers and repairers12041,170$30,390 - 51,2005%8%
78Welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers12031,480$22,630 - 47,1505%2%
79Real estate sales agents12052,180$28,630 - 77,38011%45%
80Production, planning, and expediting clerks11038,020$26,610 - 50,6404%30%
81Medical assistants11023,620$17,450 - 31,11035%10%
82Fitness trainers and aerobics instructors11021,100$15,340 - 30,66027%47%
83Packers and packagers, hand11017,990$15,310 - 24,130-11%3%
84Molding, coremaking, and casting machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic10024,270$18,410 - 31,150-12%0%
85Billing and posting clerks and machine operators10030,900$17,730 - 47,1604%15%
86Chefs and head cooks10032,910$18,490 - 51,0008%14%
87Printing machine operators10031,280$15,710 - 47,980-5%6%
88First-line supervisors/managers of housekeeping and janitorial workers9036,820$24,100 - 50,00013%11%
89Painters, construction and maintenance9032,020$15,570 - 50,25012%6%
90Medical secretaries9027,400$17,860 - 38,34017%18%
91Order clerks9026,740$19,050 - 33,720-23%16%
92Loan interviewers and clerks9028,400$20,100 - 35,0300%24%
93Cleaners of vehicles and equipment9020,430$15,450 - 28,72014%3%
94Legal secretaries8034,400$27,060 - 44,85012%18%
95Electrical and electronic engineering technicians8044,620$27,440 - 62,9404%18%
96Radiologic technologists and technicians8045,690$28,390 - 64,01015%25%
97Emergency medical technicians and paramedics8026,010$16,730 - 39,52019%14%
98File clerks8023,660$17,010 - 32,320-40%20%
99First-line supervisors/managers of transportation and material-moving machine and vehicle operators8050,760$32,220 - 73,39010%17%
100Motor vehicle operators, all other8027,760$17,330 - 44,88011%0%
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Jobs More Common Near State College Than Most Other Cities

* Average job popularity for metro areas = 1.0

TitleMean Local SalaryLocal JobsPop. vs. Avg.*
Legislators20,4801609.8
Cooks, short order19,3402805.1
Library assistants, clerical 1704.4
Instructional coordinators48,6101803.9
Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators46,8904203.2
Lifeguards, ski patrol, and other recreational protective service workers17,1301203.2
Computer-controlled machine tool operators, metal and plastic33,0301403.1
Bus drivers, school25,5904503
Chefs and head cooks32,9101002.8
Teacher assistants35,6801,2502.8
Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks19,7002002.6
Home health aides19,9507802.4
Bartenders17,3804402.4
Molding, coremaking, and casting machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic24,2701002.3
Coaches and scouts34,4701402.3
Laundry and dry-cleaning workers22,0201802.3
Librarians59,0901202.2
Medical records and health information technicians 1302.1
Secretaries, except legal, medical, and executive28,3301,4402.1
Telecommunications line installers and repairers41,1701202.1
Maintenance and repair workers, general27,6709502
Self-enrichment education teachers37,2801202
Real estate sales agents52,1801202
Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers39,0701901.9
Food service managers40,0301401.9
Counter and rental clerks20,6003201.9
First-line supervisors/managers of food preparation and serving workers30,9805601.9
Child, family, and school social workers30,2401801.9
Food preparation workers24,8505901.8
Construction laborers26,5106701.8
Automotive service technicians and mechanics33,2904201.7
Training and development specialists36,0001401.7
Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners24,6101,4001.7
Electrical and electronic equipment assemblers29,3601301.7
Retail salespersons23,3402,9001.7
Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers16,5802701.7
Computer support specialists40,9403701.7
Civil engineers76,0101701.6
Cashiers17,6402,0601.6
Computer specialists, all other53,7601201.6
Amusement and recreation attendants17,0701401.6
Computer software engineers, systems software76,9202401.5
Waiters and waitresses17,8401,3701.5
Insurance sales agents43,8001901.5
Cost estimators48,9301301.5
Employment, recruitment, and placement specialists37,5701201.5
Cooks, restaurant21,6805001.5
Social and human service assistants29,3001701.5
Industrial engineers69,2601101.5
Hosts and hostesses, restaurant, lounge, and coffee shop22,6902001.5

Work Paying Relatively Well in the State College, Pennsylvania Metro Area (2008 data)

* Average Salary Index for metro areas = 1.0

TitleMean Local SalarySalary Index *Local Jobs
Teacher assistants35,6801.61,250
Management analysts101,0301.37180
Food preparation workers24,8501.29590
Hosts and hostesses, restaurant, lounge, and coffee shop22,6901.28200
Carpenters48,1801.23350
Market research analysts70,4701.2130
Police and sheriff's patrol officers56,3201.16200
Security guards28,9001.15130
Librarians59,0901.12120
Real estate sales agents52,1801.11120
Laundry and dry-cleaning workers22,0201.11180
Cooks, fast food19,1401.1200
Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators46,8901.1420
Middle school teachers, except special and vocational education55,1101.09250
Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products61,8101.09520
Truck drivers, heavy and tractor-trailer40,8301.09640
Computer software engineers, applications83,8901.09240
Landscaping and groundskeeping workers26,1501.08450
Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners24,6101.071,400
Executive secretaries and administrative assistants41,3201.07700
Truck drivers, light or delivery services30,7201.06350
Driver/sales workers27,6601.06160
Lawyers108,1901.06120
Child care workers20,2901.05200
Combined food preparation and serving workers, including fast food18,1001.051,290
Elementary school teachers, except special education52,0701.05650
Civil engineers76,0101.04170
First-line supervisors/managers of retail sales workers40,1001.04450
Social and human service assistants29,3001.03170
Stock clerks and order fillers23,4501.03620
First-line supervisors/managers of food preparation and serving workers30,9801.02560
Cooks, institution and cafeteria23,9601.01160
Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks19,7001.01200
Secondary school teachers, except special and vocational education51,5101.01340
Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists25,2401130
Maids and housekeeping cleaners19,1201440
Cooks, restaurant21,6801500
Electrical and electronic equipment assemblers29,3600.99130
First-line supervisors/managers of office and administrative support workers44,5900.99450
Accountants and auditors58,6600.98290
Bus drivers, school25,5900.98450
Public relations specialists49,2500.98120
Computer support specialists40,9400.98370
Tellers23,0900.98280
Self-enrichment education teachers37,2800.97120
Secretaries, except legal, medical, and executive28,3300.971,440
Cooks, short order19,3400.97280
Receptionists and information clerks23,1600.97540
Coaches and scouts34,4700.97140
Dishwashers16,5800.96250

Highest Paying Jobs in State College, Pennsylvania Metro Area (2008 data)

TitleMean Local SalaryLocal Jobs
Family and general practitioners180,290 
Computer and information systems managers136,03050
Engineering managers123,79060
Dentists, general121,760 
Chief executives120,030120
Lawyers108,190120
Marketing managers107,86060
Management analysts101,030180
Pharmacists88,390100
Electronics engineers, except computer86,92080
Education administrators, elementary and secondary school86,20050
Compensation and benefits managers86,19040
Computer software engineers, applications83,890240
General and operations managers83,570360
Purchasing managers80,340 
Network systems and data communications analysts77,82090
Materials scientists77,33040
Computer software engineers, systems software76,920240
Civil engineers76,010170
Financial managers75,980190
Sales managers75,87070
First-line supervisors/managers of non-retail sales workers74,83060
Industrial production managers74,68050
Computer systems analysts73,030 
Securities, commodities, and financial services sales agents71,280100
Market research analysts70,470130
Industrial engineers69,260110
Physical therapists68,90050
Mechanical engineers68,34030
Financial analysts64,96040
First-line supervisors/managers of police and detectives63,55040
Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products61,810520
Architects, except landscape and naval61,44070
Construction managers61,090 
Personal financial advisors60,70070
Sales representatives, services, all other60,630 
Administrative services managers59,610130
Librarians59,090120
Accountants and auditors58,660290
Computer programmers56,930140
Police and sheriff's patrol officers56,320200
Environmental engineers55,260 
Middle school teachers, except special and vocational education55,110250
Special education teachers, secondary school54,57040
Kindergarten teachers, except special education54,43070
Computer specialists, all other53,760120
Special education teachers, preschool, kindergarten, and elementary school52,27080
Real estate sales agents52,180120
Elementary school teachers, except special education52,070650
Title examiners, abstractors, and searchers51,76060

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