Philadelphia Employment

Employment and Industries in the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Area

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, also know as "the city of brotherly love", is one of the five largest cities in the United States. The Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington metropolitan area, which encompasses parts of Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, is the fourth largest metropolitan area in the United States. As one might expect, the Philadelphia metropolitan area has a vibrant business community and rich economy. The Philadelphia metropolitan area is home to ten Fortune 1000 company headquarters.

Inc. magazine has ranked Philadelphia in the top seventy on its list of "Best Cities for Doing Business" in the United States in the large cities category for the last three years (2004-2006). The criteria used by Inc. "emphasizes the robustness of a region's growth". Large and significant cities such as Philadelphia, who have a "tangible effect on global affairs through socioeconomic, cultural, and/or political means" (Wikipedia) are ranked as "Global Cities" (sometimes referred to as world cities or world-class cities) by the Globalization and World Cities Study Group & Network (GaWC). There are three levels of ranking - alpha (first-tier), beta (second-tier) and gamma (third-tier). Philadelphia is ranked just below these levels as a city that shows "strong evidence of world city formation".

According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Philadelphia ranks fourth on the list of cities in the US who receive the most yearly funding from the NIH. Philadelphia is also ranked top for current impact in the Life Science industry by a 2005 Milken Institute report.

Philadelphia's economy is heavily dependent on the following industries:

  • Financial services
  • Food
  • Manufacturing
  • Refining

The federal government has a large presence in Philadelphia as well. Major federal government institutions in Philadelphia include:

  • The East Coast operations of the United States Mint
  • The Federal Reserve Bank's Philadelphia division
  • The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania
  • The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit

Philadelphia also has its own stock exchange.

Individuals especially appreciate that Philadelphia has one of the lower costs of living among major US metropolitan areas. According to Select Greater Philadelphia, a non-profit organization that specializes in streamlining corporate expansions and relocations, the Philadelphia metropolitan area has the lowest median home prices of the top U.S. metropolitan areas (based on US Government data). Businesses also appreciate that Philadelphia offers the lowest Class A and second lowest Class B rental rate of major U.S. cities.

Helping to drive the Philadelphia area economy are over eighty colleges and universities. Higher education represents a major industry, as well as providing the area with a highly educated work force.

The Philadelphia metropolitan area is served by Philadelphia International Airport (PHL), which is the second fastest growing airport in the world. It is 30th busiest airport in the world in terms of passenger volume. Philadelphia International ranks sixteenth in the United States for for nonstop international air travel according to the U.S. Department of Transportation, Bureau of Transportation Statistics.

Some major companies in the Philadelphia metropolitan area include:

  • Aramark
  • Boeing Helicopters Division
  • Campbell Soup
  • Cigna
  • Comcast
  • Crown Holdings
  • DuPont
  • GlaxoSmithKline (U.S. headquarters)
  • Hercules
  • Lincoln National
  • Pep Boys
  • QVC
  • Rohm & Haas
  • Sunoco
  • Unisys

Some of the major business organizations in the Philadelphia metropolitan area include:

The Philadelphia Business Journal, and the Business Section of the Philadelphia Inquirer are excellent sources of information on business in the Philadelphia metropolitan area.

Jobs in Philadelphia

RankTitleTotal EmployeesLocal Mean Salary (Per Year)Local Mean Salary (Per hour)National Growth % 2014-2024
1All Occupations2876370$57,580$27.69100
2Office and Administrative Support Occupations416410$43,620$20.9713.75
3Sales and Related Occupations267990$47,660$22.919.5
4Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations237690$26,800$12.898.7
5Transportation and Material Moving Occupations234890$36,520$17.566.7
6Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations194890$87,100$41.875.85
7Educational Instruction and Library Occupations188000$63,540$30.556
8Business and Financial Operations Occupations180680$82,940$39.885.35
9Healthcare Support Occupations170780$30,240$14.542.85
10Management Occupations148040$141,710$68.136.35
11Production Occupations117340$43,310$20.825.6
12Computer and Mathematical Occupations99960$94,150$45.263
13Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations98180$54,020$25.973.75
14Home Health and Personal Care Aides93550$26,220$12.610
15Construction and Extraction Occupations90580$62,640$30.124.6
16Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations82120$33,090$15.913.6
17Personal Care and Service Occupations75950$30,730$14.784.65
18Retail Salespersons75850$30,810$14.812.7
19Fast Food and Counter Workers73650$23,370$11.242.45
20Protective Service Occupations72960$49,420$23.762.2
21Registered Nurses71120$77,640$37.331.95
22Office Clerks, General69020$39,480$18.981.9
23Cashiers66410$23,240$11.172.2
24Customer Service Representatives63720$40,160$19.311.75
25Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand63640$33,010$15.871.8
26Community and Social Service Occupations54370$50,140$24.111.75
27Architecture and Engineering Occupations47740$91,790$44.131.7
28Waiters and Waitresses45100$25,580$12.31.65
29Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners44220$31,300$15.051.5
30Stockers and Order Fillers43200$28,650$13.781.25
31Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive43180$42,200$20.291.4
32General and Operations Managers42310$153,250$73.681.5
33Nursing Assistants37970$31,670$15.220.95
34First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers33690$67,230$32.320.95
35Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations33380$58,740$28.241.8
36Legal Occupations30680$118,320$56.890.8
37Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations30440$88,050$42.330.8
38Accountants and Auditors29810$84,590$40.670.9
39Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers29670$49,640$23.871.2
40Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks29660$44,880$21.581.05
41Software Developers and Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers27740$105,840$50.890.65
42Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products27130$79,720$38.330.85
43Security Guards26100$31,380$15.090.7
44Receptionists and Information Clerks24500$31,690$15.240.7
45Cooks, Restaurant23120$30,170$14.50.9
46Maintenance and Repair Workers, General22570$44,640$21.460.9
47Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel21750$78,050$37.520.7
48First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers20820$50,650$24.350.95
49First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers18530$44,090$21.20.6
50Project Management Specialists and Business Operations Specialists, All Other18470$87,160$41.90.7
51Light Truck Drivers18400$37,750$18.150.6
52Lawyers18330$156,870$75.420.5
53Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers18210$34,530$16.60.75
54Passenger Vehicle Drivers, Except Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity16750$33,570$16.140.3
55Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses15870$56,770$27.290.5
56Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists15790$78,070$37.530.45
57Medical Assistants15360$35,310$16.980.45
58Construction Laborers15120$50,320$24.190.9
59Management Analysts14920$99,530$47.850.55
60Financial and Investment Analysts, Financial Risk Specialists, and Financial Specialists, All Other14780$96,890$46.580.2
61Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers14570$74,010$35.580.4
62Carpenters13890$63,270$30.420.6
63Human Resources Specialists13650$73,540$35.360.4
64Financial Managers13410$167,850$80.70.4
65Bartenders12790$26,370$12.680.4
66Food Preparation Workers12700$24,880$11.960.5
67Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators12600$35,070$16.860.8
68Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants12460$39,230$18.860.4
69Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists12350$32,120$15.440.4
70Computer User Support Specialists12210$59,160$28.440.4
71Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics12160$46,370$22.290.5
72Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks12140$36,290$17.450.4
73Packers and Packagers, Hand11970$28,340$13.630.4
74Computer Systems Analysts11900$104,760$50.370.4
75Billing and Posting Clerks11880$44,130$21.220.3
76Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners11850$27,710$13.320.9
77Physicians, All Other; and Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric11640$222,420$106.930.3
78Childcare Workers11490$24,980$12.010.7
79Social and Human Service Assistants11080$36,970$17.770.3
80Computer Occupations, All Other10730$94,230$45.310.3
81Electricians10710$76,630$36.840.45
82Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents10590$90,110$43.320.3
83Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants10410$65,960$31.710.35
84Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education10340$32,580$15.660.3
85Dishwashers10130$22,890$110.3
86First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers9510$71,070$34.170.4
87First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors9510$59,740$28.720.3
88Computer and Information Systems Managers9380$157,910$75.920.3
89Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors9230$50,730$24.390.2
90Paralegals and Legal Assistants9210$58,130$27.950.2
91Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers9180$21,530$10.350.3
92Medical and Health Services Managers9040$111,740$53.720.3
93Pharmacy Technicians9000$33,230$15.980.3
94First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers8800$76,030$36.550.3
95Buyers and Purchasing Agents8710$76,070$36.570.25
96Child, Family, and School Social Workers8700$49,700$23.890.2
97Insurance Sales Agents8620$76,180$36.630.3
98Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors8490$41,210$19.810.2
99Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers8420$55,110$26.50.2
100Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators8360$39,960$19.210.4
Source: 2019 Occupational Employment Statistics and 2018-28 Employment Projections, Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS.gov
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Additional Details

Philadelphia Colleges
Philadelphia colleges and trade schools.
Philadelphia Graduate Schools
Philadelphia Graduate and Business Schools

Jobs More Common Near Philadelphia Than Most Other Cities

* Average job popularity for metro areas = 1.0

TitleMean Local SalaryLocal Jobs
All Occupations$57,5802,876,370
Office and Administrative Support Occupations$43,620416,410
Sales and Related Occupations$47,660267,990
Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations$26,800237,690
Transportation and Material Moving Occupations$36,520234,890
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations$87,100194,890
Educational Instruction and Library Occupations$63,540188,000
Business and Financial Operations Occupations$82,940180,680
Healthcare Support Occupations$30,240170,780
Management Occupations$141,710148,040
Production Occupations$43,310117,340
Computer and Mathematical Occupations$94,15099,960
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations$54,02098,180
Home Health and Personal Care Aides$26,22093,550
Construction and Extraction Occupations$62,64090,580
Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations$33,09082,120
Personal Care and Service Occupations$30,73075,950
Retail Salespersons$30,81075,850
Fast Food and Counter Workers$23,37073,650
Protective Service Occupations$49,42072,960
Registered Nurses$77,64071,120
Office Clerks, General$39,48069,020
Cashiers$23,24066,410
Customer Service Representatives$40,16063,720
Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand$33,01063,640
Community and Social Service Occupations$50,14054,370
Architecture and Engineering Occupations$91,79047,740
Waiters and Waitresses$25,58045,100
Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners$31,30044,220
Stockers and Order Fillers$28,65043,200
Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive$42,20043,180
General and Operations Managers$153,25042,310
Nursing Assistants$31,67037,970
First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers$67,23033,690
Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations$58,74033,380
Legal Occupations$118,32030,680
Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations$88,05030,440
Accountants and Auditors$84,59029,810
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers$49,64029,670
Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks$44,88029,660
Software Developers and Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers$105,84027,740
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products$79,72027,130
Security Guards$31,38026,100
Receptionists and Information Clerks$31,69024,500
Cooks, Restaurant$30,17023,120
Maintenance and Repair Workers, General$44,64022,570
Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel$78,05021,750
First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers$50,65020,820
First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers$44,09018,530
Project Management Specialists and Business Operations Specialists, All Other$87,16018,470

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

* Average Salary Index for metro areas = 1.0

TitleMean Local SalaryLocal Jobs
All Occupations$57,5802,876,370
Office and Administrative Support Occupations$43,620416,410
Sales and Related Occupations$47,660267,990
Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations$26,800237,690
Transportation and Material Moving Occupations$36,520234,890
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations$87,100194,890
Educational Instruction and Library Occupations$63,540188,000
Business and Financial Operations Occupations$82,940180,680
Healthcare Support Occupations$30,240170,780
Management Occupations$141,710148,040
Production Occupations$43,310117,340
Computer and Mathematical Occupations$94,15099,960
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations$54,02098,180
Home Health and Personal Care Aides$26,22093,550
Construction and Extraction Occupations$62,64090,580
Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations$33,09082,120
Personal Care and Service Occupations$30,73075,950
Retail Salespersons$30,81075,850
Protective Service Occupations$49,42072,960
Registered Nurses$77,64071,120
Office Clerks, General$39,48069,020
Customer Service Representatives$40,16063,720
Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand$33,01063,640
Community and Social Service Occupations$50,14054,370
Architecture and Engineering Occupations$91,79047,740
Waiters and Waitresses$25,58045,100
Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners$31,30044,220
Stockers and Order Fillers$28,65043,200
Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive$42,20043,180
General and Operations Managers$153,25042,310
Nursing Assistants$31,67037,970
First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers$67,23033,690
Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations$58,74033,380
Legal Occupations$118,32030,680
Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations$88,05030,440
Accountants and Auditors$84,59029,810
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers$49,64029,670
Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks$44,88029,660
Software Developers and Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers$105,84027,740
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products$79,72027,130
Security Guards$31,38026,100
Receptionists and Information Clerks$31,69024,500
Cooks, Restaurant$30,17023,120
Maintenance and Repair Workers, General$44,64022,570
Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel$78,05021,750
First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers$50,65020,820
First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers$44,09018,530
Project Management Specialists and Business Operations Specialists, All Other$87,16018,470
Light Truck Drivers$37,75018,400
Lawyers$156,87018,330

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