Salary & Cost of Living in Chester, PA
Chester, PA: $55,486 median salary, cost of living index 99.6, $7.25/hr minimum wage. Calculate your take-home pay with our free paycheck calculator.
Median Salary
$55,486
$27/hr
Cost of Living
99.6
US avg = 100
Minimum Wage
$7.25
per hour
Unemployment
3.5%
rate
Chester, PA Overview
Population
33,988
Median Salary
$55,486
Average Salary
$62,144
Avg Commute
20 min
Median Home Price
$233,000
Median Rent
$949/mo
Job Growth
+1.6%
Sales Tax
6%
Chester is located in Pennsylvania with a population of 33,988. The median household salary is $55,486 per year ($27/hour), which is $3,898 below the national median of $59,384. The average commute time is 20 minutes, and the city has a job growth rate of +1.6%.
Chester Salary by Experience Level (2026)
Wage distribution in Chester, PA based on BLS percentile breakdown of the $55,486 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 | $34,401 | $16.54/hr | 0–2 years |
| Mid-Level (Median) | $55,486 | $26.68/hr | 3–7 years |
| Senior-Level | $78,790 | $37.89/hr | 8–15 years |
| Top 10% (90th Percentile) | $98,765 | $47.49/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.
Chester Paycheck Calculator
Enter your annual salary to see your estimated take-home pay in Chester, PA, after federal, state, and local taxes.
Estimated Annual Take-Home Pay
$43,936
$3,661.33/month · $1,689.85/biweekly · Effective Rate: 20.8%
Gross Pay
$55,486
Federal Tax
-$4,620
State Tax
-$1,703
Local Tax
-$982
FICA
-$4,245
Net Pay
$43,936
Pay Breakdown
| Item | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | $4,623.83 | $55,486.00 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$384.98 | -$4,619.82 |
| Pennsylvania State Tax (3.07%) | -$141.95 | -$1,703.42 |
| Local Tax (1.77%) | -$81.84 | -$982.10 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$286.68 | -$3,440.13 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$67.05 | -$804.55 |
| Net Take-Home Pay | $3,661.33 | $43,935.98 |
Salary Comparison: Chester vs Other Cities
See how Chester's median salary and cost of living compare to the national average and similar cities.
| City | Median Salary | COL Index | Adj. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chester, PA | $55,486 | 99.6 | $55,709 |
| National Average | $59,384 | 100 | $59,384 |
| Johnston, RI | $55,477 | 97.6 | $56,841 |
| Burbank, IL | $55,477 | 94.8 | $58,520 |
| West Islip, NY | $55,475 | 121.5 | $45,658 |
| New Berlin, WI | $55,499 | 83.3 | $66,625 |
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 Chester
Chester's cost of living index is 99.6 (national average = 100). Living in Chester is 0.4000000000000057% less expensive than the national average.
Median Home Price
$233,000
Median Monthly Rent
$949
Annual Rent Cost
$11,388
Your Salary's Purchasing Power
Your $43,936 annual take-home pay in Chester has the purchasing power of approximately $44,112 in an average-cost US area. Your $55,486 salary stretches further here than in most US cities.
Top Industries in Chester
Chester's economy is driven by these key industries. Workers in top industries often earn significantly above the median salary of $55,486.
Salary Tips for Chester Workers
- Research top industries. Chester's top industries include Healthcare, Education, Manufacturing. Targeting roles in these sectors can help you earn above the $55,486 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.
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.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the median salary in Chester, PA?
The median salary in Chester, PA is $55,486 per year, or $27 per hour. The average salary is $62,144. This is $3,898 below the national median of $59,384.
What is the cost of living in Chester, PA?
Chester's cost of living index is 99.6 (national average = 100), meaning it is 0.4000000000000057% less expensive compared to the national average. The median home price is $233,000 and the median monthly rent is $949.
What are the best industries in Chester?
The top industries in Chester, PA include Healthcare, Education, Manufacturing. The city has a job growth rate of 1.6% and an unemployment rate of 3.5%. Workers in these industries often earn above the city's median salary of $55,486.
How does Chester's salary compare to other cities?
Chester's median salary of $55,486 is 6.6% below the national median of $59,384. However, when adjusted for cost of living (index: 99.6), the real purchasing power is approximately $55,709.
What is the minimum wage in Chester, PA?
The minimum wage in Chester, 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.