Salary & Cost of Living in Wilkes-Barre, PA
Wilkes-Barre, PA: $56,010 median salary, cost of living index 89.9, $7.25/hr minimum wage. Calculate your take-home pay with our free paycheck calculator.
Median Salary
$56,010
$27/hr
Cost of Living
89.9
US avg = 100
Minimum Wage
$7.25
per hour
Unemployment
3.3%
rate
Wilkes-Barre, PA Overview
Population
40,569
Median Salary
$56,010
Average Salary
$62,731
Avg Commute
21 min
Median Home Price
$224,000
Median Rent
$916/mo
Job Growth
+1.1%
Sales Tax
6%
Wilkes-Barre is located in Pennsylvania with a population of 40,569. The median household salary is $56,010 per year ($27/hour), which is $3,374 below the national median of $59,384. The average commute time is 21 minutes, and the city has a job growth rate of +1.1%.
Wilkes-Barre Salary by Experience Level (2026)
Wage distribution in Wilkes-Barre, PA based on BLS percentile breakdown of the $56,010 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 | $34,726 | $16.70/hr | 0–2 years |
| Mid-Level (Median) | $56,010 | $26.93/hr | 3–7 years |
| Senior-Level | $79,534 | $38.24/hr | 8–15 years |
| Top 10% (90th Percentile) | $99,698 | $47.94/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.
Wilkes-Barre Paycheck Calculator
Enter your annual salary to see your estimated take-home pay in Wilkes-Barre, PA, after federal, state, and local taxes.
Estimated Annual Take-Home Pay
$45,037
$3,753.11/month · $1,732.21/biweekly · Effective Rate: 19.6%
Gross Pay
$56,010
Federal Tax
-$4,683
State Tax
-$1,720
Local Tax
-$286
FICA
-$4,285
Net Pay
$45,037
Pay Breakdown
| Item | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | $4,667.50 | $56,010.00 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$390.22 | -$4,682.70 |
| Pennsylvania State Tax (3.07%) | -$143.29 | -$1,719.51 |
| Local Tax (0.51%) | -$23.80 | -$285.65 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$289.39 | -$3,472.62 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$67.68 | -$812.15 |
| Net Take-Home Pay | $3,753.11 | $45,037.38 |
Salary Comparison: Wilkes-Barre vs Other Cities
See how Wilkes-Barre's median salary and cost of living compare to the national average and similar cities.
| City | Median Salary | COL Index | Adj. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wilkes-Barre, PA | $56,010 | 89.9 | $62,303 |
| National Average | $59,384 | 100 | $59,384 |
| Buffalo Grove, IL | $56,012 | 87.7 | $63,868 |
| Martinez, CA | $56,005 | 149.3 | $37,512 |
| Port St. Lucie, FL | $56,000 | 96 | $58,333 |
| Peoria, IL | $56,000 | 85 | $65,882 |
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 Wilkes-Barre
Wilkes-Barre's cost of living index is 89.9 (national average = 100). Living in Wilkes-Barre is 10.099999999999994% less expensive than the national average.
Median Home Price
$224,000
Median Monthly Rent
$916
Annual Rent Cost
$10,992
Your Salary's Purchasing Power
Your $45,037 annual take-home pay in Wilkes-Barre has the purchasing power of approximately $50,097 in an average-cost US area. Your $56,010 salary stretches further here than in most US cities.
Top Industries in Wilkes-Barre
Wilkes-Barre's economy is driven by these key industries. Workers in top industries often earn significantly above the median salary of $56,010.
Salary Tips for Wilkes-Barre Workers
- Your salary goes further here. Wilkes-Barre has a cost of living 10.099999999999994% below the national average. A salary of $56,010 here has the purchasing power of about $62,303 in an average-cost area.
- Research top industries. Wilkes-Barre's top industries include Healthcare, Education, Manufacturing. Targeting roles in these sectors can help you earn above the $56,010 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 Wilkes-Barre salary data: Our citywide compensation figures aggregate occupation-specific salary data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for the Wilkes-Barre-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 Wilkes-Barre indexed at 89.9.
- Median salary calculation: weighted average of Wilkes-Barre's occupation-specific medians from BLS OEWS, adjusted for local cost of living. Net result: $56,010 annual median.
- Tax burden reflects Pennsylvania state income tax (3.07%), plus Wilkes-Barre local tax of 0.51%, sales tax (6%), and federal taxes per IRS 2026 brackets.
- Unemployment rate for Wilkes-Barre: 3.3%, sourced from BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS).
- Top industries: Healthcare, Education, Manufacturing — based on QCEW employment concentration data.
- Job growth: 1.1% projected through 2034, derived from BLS Employment Projections program for Pennsylvania.
- Housing context: median home price $224,000, median rent $916/mo, sourced from Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
Authoritative US data sources for Wilkes-Barre, PA:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — metropolitan area salary data
- BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics — Wilkes-Barre unemployment rate
- U.S. Census Bureau — Wilkes-Barre 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. Wilkes-Barre'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 median salary in Wilkes-Barre, PA?
The median salary in Wilkes-Barre, PA is $56,010 per year, or $27 per hour. The average salary is $62,731. This is $3,374 below the national median of $59,384.
What is the cost of living in Wilkes-Barre, PA?
Wilkes-Barre's cost of living index is 89.9 (national average = 100), meaning it is 10.099999999999994% less expensive compared to the national average. The median home price is $224,000 and the median monthly rent is $916.
What are the best industries in Wilkes-Barre?
The top industries in Wilkes-Barre, PA include Healthcare, Education, Manufacturing. The city has a job growth rate of 1.1% and an unemployment rate of 3.3%. Workers in these industries often earn above the city's median salary of $56,010.
How does Wilkes-Barre's salary compare to other cities?
Wilkes-Barre's median salary of $56,010 is 5.7% below the national median of $59,384. However, when adjusted for cost of living (index: 89.9), the real purchasing power is approximately $62,303.
What is the minimum wage in Wilkes-Barre, PA?
The minimum wage in Wilkes-Barre, 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.