Jobs that lost the most to inflation in Pennsylvania

Every occupation here is paid more in dollars than it was in 2019 and less in what those dollars buy. Prices rose about 26% over the period; these wages did not keep up. Limited to occupations employing at least 50,000 people.

Cost of living: prices in Pennsylvania run 2.4% below the national average (2024), so a Pennsylvania salary is worth about 1.02× its face value in national terms. That scales every wage here by the same factor — it changes what the numbers mean, not their order. To see where a job pays a real premium, use jobs that pay more in Pennsylvania.

Wages: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Cost of living: BEA regional price parities, 2024

Find high paying jobs in Pennsylvania

OccupationMedian, Pennsylvania · Real change since 2019

1Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary$82,070
Doctoral or professional degree
$36,770 – $143,560-37.2%-21.0% nominal
2Cooks, Short Order$19,910
No formal educational credential
$17,150 – $40,460-35.6%-18.9% nominal
3Educational Instruction and Library Workers, All Other$38,760
Bachelor's degree
$18,230 – $76,530-32.5%-15.0% nominal
4General and Operations Managers$103,130
Bachelor's degree
$49,990 – $220,530-26.5%-7.4% nominal
5Sales Managers$130,610
Bachelor's degree
$71,500 – $239,470-25.6%-6.4% nominal
6Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators$57,430
No formal educational credential
$45,530 – $75,280-24.2%-4.5% nominal
7Financial Examiners$78,500
Bachelor's degree
$56,420 – $137,770-23.4%-3.6% nominal
8Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists$99,190
Doctoral or professional degree
$61,490 – $214,690-23.0%-3.0% nominal
9Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary$75,960
Doctoral or professional degree
$47,750 – $124,090-22.9%-2.9% nominal
10Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians$51,680
Bachelor's degree
$37,630 – $86,390-22.7%-2.7% nominal
11Operations Research Analysts$79,640
Bachelor's degree
$55,220 – $129,420-22.1%-1.9% nominal
12Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors$60,880
Master's degree
$46,200 – $97,810-20.4%+0.2% nominal
13First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers$82,870
High school diploma or equivalent
$53,050 – $136,510-20.1%+0.6% nominal
14Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants$51,430
High school diploma or equivalent
$35,900 – $77,420-20.0%+0.8% nominal
15Public Relations Specialists$57,460
Bachelor's degree
$32,810 – $102,330-19.9%+0.9% nominal
16Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary$78,460
Doctoral or professional degree
$47,280 – $107,640-19.6%+1.2% nominal
17Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education$64,430
Bachelor's degree
$41,700 – $92,600-19.3%+1.6% nominal
18Logisticians$79,340
Bachelor's degree
$50,960 – $122,560-18.6%+2.5% nominal
19Computer Programmers$89,180
Bachelor's degree
$60,070 – $134,710-18.0%+3.3% nominal
20Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary$85,970
Doctoral or professional degree
$57,810 – $130,330-17.7%+3.7% nominal
21Mathematical Science Teachers, Postsecondary$82,170
Doctoral or professional degree
$49,790 – $126,790-17.5%+3.8% nominal
22Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists$70,640
Bachelor's degree
$46,400 – $120,830-17.3%+4.1% nominal
23Sales Engineers$98,500
Bachelor's degree
$62,960 – $140,820-16.3%+5.4% nominal
24Loan Officers$69,300
Bachelor's degree
$39,990 – $132,900-16.3%+5.4% nominal
25Food Service Managers$64,750
High school diploma or equivalent
$43,900 – $94,660-16.2%+5.6% nominal
26Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel$64,480
High school diploma or equivalent
$37,270 – $133,980-16.1%+5.7% nominal
27Computer Systems Analysts$98,550
Bachelor's degree
$63,910 – $133,670-15.9%+6.0% nominal
28Marriage and Family Therapists$66,040
Master's degree
$47,050 – $91,980-15.8%+6.0% nominal
29Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers$65,680
High school diploma or equivalent
$46,290 – $143,280-15.8%+6.0% nominal
30Natural Sciences Managers$137,900
Bachelor's degree
$59,040 – $312,510-15.7%+6.2% nominal
31First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors$61,460
High school diploma or equivalent
$40,930 – $88,630-15.6%+6.3% nominal
32First-Line Supervisors of Housekeeping and Janitorial Workers$46,920
High school diploma or equivalent
$33,530 – $66,860-15.3%+6.7% nominal
33Financial Managers$145,610
Bachelor's degree
$83,180 – $286,240-15.3%+6.7% nominal
34Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products$66,130
High school diploma or equivalent
$38,980 – $132,420-15.2%+6.8% nominal
35Cargo and Freight Agents$49,590
High school diploma or equivalent
$36,900 – $81,970-15.0%+7.0% nominal
36Fundraisers$63,730
Bachelor's degree
$45,110 – $98,870-15.0%+7.1% nominal
37Healthcare Support Workers, All Other$45,160
High school diploma or equivalent
$33,660 – $63,790-14.8%+7.3% nominal
38Education Administrators, Postsecondary$103,740
Master's degree
$71,150 – $209,530-14.3%+8.0% nominal
39Industrial Production Managers$109,140
Bachelor's degree
$71,950 – $180,750-14.2%+8.0% nominal
40Teaching Assistants, Postsecondary$38,020
Bachelor's degree
$21,060 – $60,130-14.1%+8.1% nominal
41Electricians$67,600
High school diploma or equivalent
$45,600 – $122,620-13.8%+8.6% nominal
42Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers$105,240
High school diploma or equivalent
$65,560 – $182,390-13.7%+8.7% nominal
43Instructional Coordinators$75,580
Master's degree
$48,220 – $105,350-13.5%+8.9% nominal
44First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives$102,400
High school diploma or equivalent
$72,840 – $137,980-13.5%+8.9% nominal
45Telecommunications Line Installers and Repairers$81,020
High school diploma or equivalent
$46,280 – $100,200-13.3%+9.1% nominal
46Editors$63,460
Bachelor's degree
$37,240 – $114,560-12.8%+9.8% nominal
47Marketing Managers$150,810
Bachelor's degree
$76,990 – $246,320-12.8%+9.8% nominal
48Physical Therapist Assistants$62,580
Associate's degree
$49,610 – $78,010-12.7%+9.9% nominal
49Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists$68,760
Bachelor's degree
$34,160 – $128,810-12.6%+10.0% nominal
50Construction Managers$108,250
Bachelor's degree
$78,100 – $173,160-12.5%+10.2% nominal

Bars run from the 10th to the 90th percentile; the middle half is shaded darker, and the tick is the median.

#	Occupation	MedianPennsylvania	10th–90th percentilemiddle half shaded darker	Real change since 2019
1	Engineering Teachers, PostsecondaryDoctoral or professional degree	$82,070	$36,770 – $143,560	-37.2%-21.0% nominal
2	Cooks, Short OrderNo formal educational credential	$19,910	$17,150 – $40,460	-35.6%-18.9% nominal
3	Educational Instruction and Library Workers, All OtherBachelor's degree	$38,760	$18,230 – $76,530	-32.5%-15.0% nominal
4	General and Operations ManagersBachelor's degree	$103,130	$49,990 – $220,530	-26.5%-7.4% nominal
5	Sales ManagersBachelor's degree	$130,610	$71,500 – $239,470	-25.6%-6.4% nominal
6	Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine OperatorsNo formal educational credential	$57,430	$45,530 – $75,280	-24.2%-4.5% nominal
7	Financial ExaminersBachelor's degree	$78,500	$56,420 – $137,770	-23.4%-3.6% nominal
8	Medical Scientists, Except EpidemiologistsDoctoral or professional degree	$99,190	$61,490 – $214,690	-23.0%-3.0% nominal
9	Psychology Teachers, PostsecondaryDoctoral or professional degree	$75,960	$47,750 – $124,090	-22.9%-2.9% nominal
10	Clinical Laboratory Technologists and TechniciansBachelor's degree	$51,680	$37,630 – $86,390	-22.7%-2.7% nominal
11	Operations Research AnalystsBachelor's degree	$79,640	$55,220 – $129,420	-22.1%-1.9% nominal
12	Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and AdvisorsMaster's degree	$60,880	$46,200 – $97,810	-20.4%+0.2% nominal
13	First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales WorkersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$82,870	$53,050 – $136,510	-20.1%+0.6% nominal
14	Legal Secretaries and Administrative AssistantsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$51,430	$35,900 – $77,420	-20.0%+0.8% nominal
15	Public Relations SpecialistsBachelor's degree	$57,460	$32,810 – $102,330	-19.9%+0.9% nominal
16	Nursing Instructors and Teachers, PostsecondaryDoctoral or professional degree	$78,460	$47,280 – $107,640	-19.6%+1.2% nominal
17	Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special EducationBachelor's degree	$64,430	$41,700 – $92,600	-19.3%+1.6% nominal
18	LogisticiansBachelor's degree	$79,340	$50,960 – $122,560	-18.6%+2.5% nominal
19	Computer ProgrammersBachelor's degree	$89,180	$60,070 – $134,710	-18.0%+3.3% nominal
20	Biological Science Teachers, PostsecondaryDoctoral or professional degree	$85,970	$57,810 – $130,330	-17.7%+3.7% nominal
21	Mathematical Science Teachers, PostsecondaryDoctoral or professional degree	$82,170	$49,790 – $126,790	-17.5%+3.8% nominal
22	Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis SpecialistsBachelor's degree	$70,640	$46,400 – $120,830	-17.3%+4.1% nominal
23	Sales EngineersBachelor's degree	$98,500	$62,960 – $140,820	-16.3%+5.4% nominal
24	Loan OfficersBachelor's degree	$69,300	$39,990 – $132,900	-16.3%+5.4% nominal
25	Food Service ManagersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$64,750	$43,900 – $94,660	-16.2%+5.6% nominal
26	Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and TravelHigh school diploma or equivalent	$64,480	$37,270 – $133,980	-16.1%+5.7% nominal
27	Computer Systems AnalystsBachelor's degree	$98,550	$63,910 – $133,670	-15.9%+6.0% nominal
28	Marriage and Family TherapistsMaster's degree	$66,040	$47,050 – $91,980	-15.8%+6.0% nominal
29	Property, Real Estate, and Community Association ManagersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$65,680	$46,290 – $143,280	-15.8%+6.0% nominal
30	Natural Sciences ManagersBachelor's degree	$137,900	$59,040 – $312,510	-15.7%+6.2% nominal
31	First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling SupervisorsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$61,460	$40,930 – $88,630	-15.6%+6.3% nominal
32	First-Line Supervisors of Housekeeping and Janitorial WorkersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$46,920	$33,530 – $66,860	-15.3%+6.7% nominal
33	Financial ManagersBachelor's degree	$145,610	$83,180 – $286,240	-15.3%+6.7% nominal
34	Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific ProductsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$66,130	$38,980 – $132,420	-15.2%+6.8% nominal
35	Cargo and Freight AgentsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$49,590	$36,900 – $81,970	-15.0%+7.0% nominal
36	FundraisersBachelor's degree	$63,730	$45,110 – $98,870	-15.0%+7.1% nominal
37	Healthcare Support Workers, All OtherHigh school diploma or equivalent	$45,160	$33,660 – $63,790	-14.8%+7.3% nominal
38	Education Administrators, PostsecondaryMaster's degree	$103,740	$71,150 – $209,530	-14.3%+8.0% nominal
39	Industrial Production ManagersBachelor's degree	$109,140	$71,950 – $180,750	-14.2%+8.0% nominal
40	Teaching Assistants, PostsecondaryBachelor's degree	$38,020	$21,060 – $60,130	-14.1%+8.1% nominal
41	ElectriciansHigh school diploma or equivalent	$67,600	$45,600 – $122,620	-13.8%+8.6% nominal
42	Transportation, Storage, and Distribution ManagersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$105,240	$65,560 – $182,390	-13.7%+8.7% nominal
43	Instructional CoordinatorsMaster's degree	$75,580	$48,220 – $105,350	-13.5%+8.9% nominal
44	First-Line Supervisors of Police and DetectivesHigh school diploma or equivalent	$102,400	$72,840 – $137,980	-13.5%+8.9% nominal
45	Telecommunications Line Installers and RepairersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$81,020	$46,280 – $100,200	-13.3%+9.1% nominal
46	EditorsBachelor's degree	$63,460	$37,240 – $114,560	-12.8%+9.8% nominal
47	Marketing ManagersBachelor's degree	$150,810	$76,990 – $246,320	-12.8%+9.8% nominal
48	Physical Therapist AssistantsAssociate's degree	$62,580	$49,610 – $78,010	-12.7%+9.9% nominal
49	Market Research Analysts and Marketing SpecialistsBachelor's degree	$68,760	$34,160 – $128,810	-12.6%+10.0% nominal
50	Construction ManagersBachelor's degree	$108,250	$78,100 – $173,160	-12.5%+10.2% nominal

More for Pennsylvania

Metro areas in Pennsylvania

Pay varies more between metros than between states — the spread inside one state is often wider than the gap between two.

By field in Pennsylvania

Without a degree

The same fields, narrowed to what you can enter without one. Fields missing here have too few such occupations in Pennsylvania to rank honestly.

Jobs that lost the most to inflation in Pennsylvania

More for Pennsylvania

Metro areas in Pennsylvania

By field in Pennsylvania

Without a degree

Jobs that lost the most to inflation in each state