For role-by-role compensation benchmarking and career income strategy, see the Profession Salary Guides hub.
For conversion formulas, overtime scenarios, and annual-pay planning, see the Hourly to Annual hub.
A good salary in Pennsylvania is $55,000-$75,000 for a single person. Note: Pennsylvania has local income taxes that vary by municipality.
Quick Answer by City
| City | Good Salary | Comfortable | Thriving |
|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia | $70,000 | $90,000 | $130,000 |
| Pittsburgh | $60,000 | $75,000 | $110,000 |
| Harrisburg | $50,000 | $65,000 | $90,000 |
| Allentown | $55,000 | $70,000 | $95,000 |
| Erie | $45,000 | $55,000 | $80,000 |
Pennsylvania Cost of Living
| Category | Pennsylvania | National Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 97 | 100 | -3% |
| Housing | 95 | 100 | -5% |
| Transportation | 100 | 100 | 0% |
| Healthcare | 98 | 100 | -2% |
| Utilities | 105 | 100 | +5% |
Philadelphia is 10-15% above average; Pittsburgh is about average.
Pennsylvania Tax Structure
Pennsylvania has two layers of income tax:
State Tax
Flat 3.07% on all income
Local Income Tax
| Location | Local Tax |
|---|---|
| Philadelphia | 3.75% |
| Pittsburgh | 3.0% |
| Harrisburg | 2.0% |
| Suburbs (avg) | 1.0-1.5% |
Philadelphia residents pay 6.82% combined (state + local).
Take-Home Pay in Pennsylvania
| Gross Salary | Federal | State | Local (Philly) | FICA | Take-Home |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $60,000 | $5,500 | $1,842 | $2,250 | $4,590 | $45,818 |
| $75,000 | $8,000 | $2,303 | $2,813 | $5,738 | $56,146 |
| $100,000 | $12,500 | $3,070 | $3,750 | $7,650 | $73,030 |
| $125,000 | $18,000 | $3,838 | $4,688 | $9,563 | $88,911 |
Pittsburgh Take-Home (3% local)
| Gross Salary | Federal | State | Local | FICA | Take-Home |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $60,000 | $5,500 | $1,842 | $1,800 | $4,590 | $46,268 |
| $75,000 | $8,000 | $2,303 | $2,250 | $5,738 | $56,709 |
| $100,000 | $12,500 | $3,070 | $3,000 | $7,650 | $73,780 |
Housing Costs by City
| City | Median Home Price | Median Rent (1BR) |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia | $280,000 | $1,500 |
| Pittsburgh | $240,000 | $1,200 |
| Harrisburg | $200,000 | $1,000 |
| Allentown | $280,000 | $1,200 |
| Erie | $150,000 | $800 |
Pittsburgh vs. Philadelphia
| Factor | Pittsburgh | Philadelphia |
|---|---|---|
| Median salary | $55,000 | $65,000 |
| Median home | $240,000 | $280,000 |
| 1BR rent | $1,200 | $1,500 |
| Local tax | 3.0% | 3.75% |
| Total income tax | 6.07% | 6.82% |
Pittsburgh offers better value with lower housing costs and slightly lower taxes.
Home Affordability by Salary
| Salary | Affordable Home | Monthly Payment | Available In |
|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $175,000 | $1,170 | Erie |
| $65,000 | $230,000 | $1,520 | Harrisburg, Pittsburgh suburbs |
| $80,000 | $280,000 | $1,870 | Pittsburgh, Philly suburbs |
| $100,000 | $350,000 | $2,330 | Most of Philadelphia |
Related Guides
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024.” bls.gov/oes
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