Philadelphia Hourly Wage & Salary 2026
Philadelphia, PA: $28.85/hr median hourly wage, $60,000 median annual salary, cost of living index 102, and $7.25/hr minimum wage. Calculate take-home pay with federal and Pennsylvania taxes.
Philadelphia Hourly Wage Quick Answer
The median hourly wage in Philadelphia, PA is $28.85/hr, equivalent to $60,000 per year at 2,080 work hours. Entry-level pay estimates around $17.89/hr, senior-level pay estimates around $40.97/hr, and the local minimum wage is $7.25/hr.
Median Salary
$60,000
$28.85/hr
Cost of Living
102
US avg = 100
Minimum Wage
$7.25
per hour
Unemployment
4.5%
rate
Philadelphia, PA Overview
Population
1,603,797
Median Salary
$60,000
Average Salary
$67,500
Avg Commute
33 min
Median Home Price
$230,000
Median Rent
$1,400/mo
Job Growth
+1.5%
Sales Tax
8%
Philadelphia is located in Pennsylvania with a population of 1,603,797. The median household salary is $60,000 per year ($28.85/hour), which is $616 above the national median of $59,384. The average commute time is 33 minutes, and the city has a job growth rate of +1.5%.
Philadelphia Salary by Experience Level (2026)
Wage distribution in Philadelphia, PA based on BLS percentile breakdown of the $60,000 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 | $37,200 | $17.89/hr | 0–2 years |
| Mid-Level (Median) | $60,000 | $28.85/hr | 3–7 years |
| Senior-Level | $85,200 | $40.97/hr | 8–15 years |
| Top 10% (90th Percentile) | $106,800 | $51.35/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.
Philadelphia Paycheck Calculator
Enter your annual salary to see your estimated take-home pay in Philadelphia, PA, after federal, state, and local taxes.
Estimated Annual Take-Home Pay
$46,274
$3,856.17/month · $1,779.77/biweekly · Effective Rate: 22.9%
Biweekly paycheck estimate: this salary equals about $1,779.77 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
$60,000
Federal Tax
-$5,020
State Tax
-$1,842
Local Tax
-$2,274
FICA
-$4,590
Net Pay
$46,274
Pay Breakdown
| Item | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | $5,000.00 | $60,000.00 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$418.33 | -$5,020.00 |
| Pennsylvania State Tax (3.07%) | -$153.50 | -$1,842.00 |
| Local Tax (3.79%) | -$189.50 | -$2,274.00 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$310.00 | -$3,720.00 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$72.50 | -$870.00 |
| Net Take-Home Pay | $3,856.17 | $46,274.00 |
Salary Comparison: Philadelphia vs Other Cities
See how Philadelphia's median salary and cost of living compare to the national average and similar cities.
| City | Median Salary | COL Index | Adj. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia, PA | $60,000 | 102 | $58,824 |
| National Average | $59,384 | 100 | $59,384 |
| Tampa, FL | $60,000 | 102 | $58,824 |
| Idaho Falls, ID | $60,000 | 93 | $64,516 |
| Joliet, IL | $60,000 | 90 | $66,667 |
| Kansas City, MO | $60,000 | 90 | $66,667 |
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 Philadelphia
Philadelphia's cost of living index is 102 (national average = 100). Living in Philadelphia is 2% more expensive than the national average.
Median Home Price
$230,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,400
Annual Rent Cost
$16,800
Your Salary's Purchasing Power
Your $46,274 annual take-home pay in Philadelphia has the purchasing power of approximately $45,367 in an average-cost US area. You would need to earn $61,200 in Philadelphia to match a $60,000 salary in an average-cost city.
Top Industries in Philadelphia
Philadelphia's economy is driven by these key industries. Workers in top industries often earn significantly above the median salary of $60,000.
Salary Tips for Philadelphia Workers
- Research top industries. Philadelphia's top industries include Healthcare, Education, Finance. Targeting roles in these sectors can help you earn above the $60,000 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.
Job Salaries in Philadelphia, PA
Browse occupation-specific salary estimates adjusted for Philadelphia's cost of living. These pages connect national role benchmarks with local take-home pay and market context.
Methodology & Local Economy Data Sources
How we calculate Philadelphia salary data: Our citywide compensation figures aggregate occupation-specific salary data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for the Philadelphia-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 Philadelphia indexed at 102.
- Median salary calculation: weighted average of Philadelphia's occupation-specific medians from BLS OEWS, adjusted for local cost of living. Net result: $60,000 annual median.
- Tax burden reflects Pennsylvania state income tax (3.07%), plus Philadelphia local tax of 3.79%, sales tax (8%), and federal taxes per IRS 2026 brackets.
- Unemployment rate for Philadelphia: 4.5%, sourced from BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS).
- Top industries: Healthcare, Education, Finance — based on QCEW employment concentration data.
- Job growth: 1.5% projected through 2034, derived from BLS Employment Projections program for Pennsylvania.
- Housing context: median home price $230,000, median rent $1,400/mo, sourced from Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
Authoritative US data sources for Philadelphia, PA:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — metropolitan area salary data
- BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics — Philadelphia unemployment rate
- U.S. Census Bureau — Philadelphia 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. Philadelphia'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
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly wage in Philadelphia, PA?
The median hourly wage in Philadelphia, PA is $28.85 per hour. At a standard 2,080-hour work year, that equals about $60,000 per year. Entry-level workers are estimated around $17.89/hr, while senior-level workers are estimated around $40.97/hr before overtime, bonuses, or benefits.
What is the median salary in Philadelphia, PA?
The median salary in Philadelphia, PA is $60,000 per year, or $28.85 per hour. The average salary is $67,500. This is $616 above the national median of $59,384.
What is the cost of living in Philadelphia, PA?
Philadelphia's cost of living index is 102 (national average = 100), meaning it is 2% more expensive compared to the national average. The median home price is $230,000 and the median monthly rent is $1,400.
What are the best industries in Philadelphia?
The top industries in Philadelphia, PA include Healthcare, Education, Finance. The city has a job growth rate of 1.5% and an unemployment rate of 4.5%. Workers in these industries often earn above the city's median salary of $60,000.
How does Philadelphia's salary compare to other cities?
Philadelphia's median salary of $60,000 is 1.0% above the national median of $59,384. However, when adjusted for cost of living (index: 102), the real purchasing power is approximately $58,824.
What is the minimum wage in Philadelphia, PA?
The minimum wage in Philadelphia, 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.