Altoona Hourly Wage & Salary 2026
Altoona, PA: $23.45/hr median hourly wage, $48,779 median annual salary, cost of living index 93.4, and $7.25/hr minimum wage. Calculate take-home pay with federal and Pennsylvania taxes.
Altoona Hourly Wage Quick Answer
The median hourly wage in Altoona, PA is $23.45/hr, equivalent to $48,779 per year at 2,080 work hours. Entry-level pay estimates around $14.54/hr, senior-level pay estimates around $33.30/hr, and the local minimum wage is $7.25/hr.
Median Salary
$48,779
$23.45/hr
Cost of Living
93.4
US avg = 100
Minimum Wage
$7.25
per hour
Unemployment
4.1%
rate
Altoona, PA Overview
Population
43,193
Median Salary
$48,779
Average Salary
$54,632
Avg Commute
18 min
Median Home Price
$251,000
Median Rent
$1,026/mo
Job Growth
+1.9%
Sales Tax
6%
Altoona is located in Pennsylvania with a population of 43,193. The median household salary is $48,779 per year ($23.45/hour), which is $10,605 below the national median of $59,384. The average commute time is 18 minutes, and the city has a job growth rate of +1.9%.
Altoona Salary by Experience Level (2026)
Wage distribution in Altoona, PA based on BLS percentile breakdown of the $48,779 median salary. Entry-level represents 10th–25th percentile; mid-level is the median; senior-level represents 75th–90th percentile.
| Experience Level | Annual Salary | Hourly Wage | Years Exp |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-Level | $30,243 | $14.54/hr | 0–2 years |
| Mid-Level (Median) | $48,779 | $23.45/hr | 3–7 years |
| Senior-Level | $69,266 | $33.30/hr | 8–15 years |
| Top 10% (90th Percentile) | $86,827 | $41.74/hr | 15+ years / leadership |
Percentile multipliers (62%, 100%, 142%, 178%) derived from 2024 BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics distribution across all occupations in metro areas. Specific roles vary; see jobs by city for role-specific data.
Altoona Paycheck Calculator
Enter your annual salary to see your estimated take-home pay in Altoona, PA, after federal, state, and local taxes.
Estimated Annual Take-Home Pay
$39,662
$3,305.15/month · $1,525.45/biweekly · Effective Rate: 18.7%
Biweekly paycheck estimate: this salary equals about $1,525.45 take-home per paycheck after estimated Pennsylvania and federal taxes. For the 26-paycheck formula, three-paycheck months, and withholding examples, see the Biweekly Paycheck Calculator.
Gross Pay
$48,779
Federal Tax
-$3,673
State Tax
-$1,498
Local Tax
-$215
FICA
-$3,732
Net Pay
$39,662
Pay Breakdown
| Item | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | $4,064.92 | $48,779.00 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$306.12 | -$3,673.48 |
| Pennsylvania State Tax (3.07%) | -$124.79 | -$1,497.52 |
| Local Tax (0.44%) | -$17.89 | -$214.63 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$252.02 | -$3,024.30 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$58.94 | -$707.30 |
| Net Take-Home Pay | $3,305.15 | $39,661.78 |
Salary Comparison: Altoona vs Other Cities
See how Altoona's median salary and cost of living compare to the national average and similar cities.
| City | Median Salary | COL Index | Adj. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Altoona, PA | $48,779 | 93.4 | $52,226 |
| National Average | $59,384 | 100 | $59,384 |
| Kendall, FL | $48,753 | 103.6 | $47,059 |
| Arlington Heights, IL | $48,839 | 97.7 | $49,989 |
| Montgomery, AL | $48,700 | 86 | $56,628 |
| Fort Myers, FL | $48,693 | 106.7 | $45,635 |
Adjusted salary reflects purchasing power when cost of living is factored in. A higher adjusted salary means your money goes further.
Cost of Living in Altoona
Altoona's cost of living index is 93.4 (national average = 100). Living in Altoona is 6.599999999999994% less expensive than the national average.
Median Home Price
$251,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,026
Annual Rent Cost
$12,312
Your Salary's Purchasing Power
Your $39,662 annual take-home pay in Altoona has the purchasing power of approximately $42,464 in an average-cost US area. Your $48,779 salary stretches further here than in most US cities.
Top Industries in Altoona
Altoona's economy is driven by these key industries. Workers in top industries often earn significantly above the median salary of $48,779.
Salary Tips for Altoona Workers
- Research top industries. Altoona's top industries include Healthcare, Education, Manufacturing. Targeting roles in these sectors can help you earn above the $48,779 median salary.
- Review your W-4 withholding. If you regularly receive large tax refunds, adjust your W-4 to increase your per-paycheck take-home pay instead of giving the government an interest-free loan.
Methodology & Local Economy Data Sources
How we calculate Altoona salary data: Our citywide compensation figures aggregate occupation-specific salary data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for the Altoona-PA metropolitan statistical area (MSA), weighted by local employment counts. Cost-of-living adjustments use the C2ER Cost of Living Index baseline of 100 (national average), with Altoona indexed at 93.4.
- Median salary calculation: weighted average of Altoona's occupation-specific medians from BLS OEWS, adjusted for local cost of living. Net result: $48,779 annual median.
- Tax burden reflects Pennsylvania state income tax (3.07%), plus Altoona local tax of 0.44%, sales tax (6%), and federal taxes per IRS 2026 brackets.
- Unemployment rate for Altoona: 4.1%, sourced from BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS).
- Top industries: Healthcare, Education, Manufacturing — based on QCEW employment concentration data.
- Job growth: 1.9% projected through 2034, derived from BLS Employment Projections program for Pennsylvania.
- Housing context: median home price $251,000, median rent $1,026/mo, sourced from Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
Authoritative US data sources for Altoona, PA:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — metropolitan area salary data
- BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics — Altoona unemployment rate
- U.S. Census Bureau — Altoona QuickFacts — population, housing, demographics
- BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW) — county-level industry employment
- BLS Economy at a Glance — Pennsylvania — state economic indicators
- U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) — local GDP and personal income data
- BLS Consumer Price Index (CPI-U) — regional inflation tracking
Disclaimer: Salary and cost data are estimates for general guidance. Individual compensation varies by employer, experience, education, negotiation, and skills. Altoona's rapidly changing economy can shift these baselines — always verify with current job listings, employer offers, and recent Pennsylvania labor market reports for the most current figures.
Reviewed by Brazora Monk· Last updated 2026 · BLS & Census data current as of latest releases
Explore Salaries Across the US
Compare salary data and cost of living for hundreds of US cities. Find out where your paycheck goes the furthest.
Related Salary Tools
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly wage in Altoona, PA?
The median hourly wage in Altoona, PA is $23.45 per hour. At a standard 2,080-hour work year, that equals about $48,779 per year. Entry-level workers are estimated around $14.54/hr, while senior-level workers are estimated around $33.30/hr before overtime, bonuses, or benefits.
What is the median salary in Altoona, PA?
The median salary in Altoona, PA is $48,779 per year, or $23.45 per hour. The average salary is $54,632. This is $10,605 below the national median of $59,384.
What is the cost of living in Altoona, PA?
Altoona's cost of living index is 93.4 (national average = 100), meaning it is 6.599999999999994% less expensive compared to the national average. The median home price is $251,000 and the median monthly rent is $1,026.
What are the best industries in Altoona?
The top industries in Altoona, PA include Healthcare, Education, Manufacturing. The city has a job growth rate of 1.9% and an unemployment rate of 4.1%. Workers in these industries often earn above the city's median salary of $48,779.
How does Altoona's salary compare to other cities?
Altoona's median salary of $48,779 is 17.9% below the national median of $59,384. However, when adjusted for cost of living (index: 93.4), the real purchasing power is approximately $52,226.
What is the minimum wage in Altoona, PA?
The minimum wage in Altoona, PA is $7.25 per hour. This equals approximately $15,080 per year for a full-time worker (40 hours/week). This matches the federal minimum wage of $7.25/hour.