Cost of living

Cost of living in Pennsylvania: what jobs pay vs rent

Typical rent in Pennsylvania is about $1,176/mo (population-weighted Census gross rent, utilities included). Here's how 300 common jobs' estimated take-home pay compares.

JobEst. take-homeRent share
Family Physician$15,548/mo8%
Nurse Anesthetist$13,282/mo9%
Chief Executive$13,036/mo9%
Dentist$10,765/mo11%
IT Manager$10,094/mo12%
Architectural and Engineering Manager$9,936/mo12%
Financial Manager$8,955/mo13%
Optometrist$8,941/mo13%
Pharmacist$8,817/mo13%
Purchasing Manager$8,711/mo14%
Marketing Manager$8,573/mo14%
Sales Manager$8,489/mo14%
Lawyer$8,468/mo14%
Human Resources Manager$8,309/mo14%
Natural Sciences Manager$8,247/mo14%
Nurse Practitioner$8,199/mo14%
Physician Assistant$7,746/mo15%
Actuary$7,597/mo15%
Public Relations Manager$7,563/mo16%
Computer Hardware Engineer$7,549/mo16%
Veterinarian$7,417/mo16%
Software Developer$7,274/mo16%
Network Architect$7,257/mo16%
Information Security Analyst$7,169/mo16%
Healthcare Manager$6,908/mo17%
Medical Scientist$6,838/mo17%
Electrical Engineer$6,825/mo17%
Construction Manager$6,787/mo17%
Industrial Production Manager$6,785/mo17%
Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary$6,676/mo18%
Police and Detective$6,656/mo18%
Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Manager$6,642/mo18%
Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairer$6,548/mo18%
Financial Advisor$6,524/mo18%
Physical Therapist$6,516/mo18%
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Product$6,475/mo18%
Facilities Manager$6,473/mo18%
Operations Manager$6,444/mo18%
Firefighting and Prevention Worker$6,434/mo18%
Labor Relations Specialist$6,382/mo18%
Administrative Services Manager$6,338/mo19%
Mechanical Engineer$6,327/mo19%
Data Scientist$6,322/mo19%
Database Administrator$6,312/mo19%
Project Management Specialist$6,263/mo19%
Detectives and Criminal Investigator$6,109/mo19%
Civil Engineer$6,067/mo19%
Occupational Therapist$6,023/mo20%
Telecommunications Line Installers and Repairer$5,953/mo20%
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Tester$5,931/mo20%
Speech Pathologist$5,697/mo21%
Web Developer$5,672/mo21%
Management Consultant$5,641/mo21%
Network Administrator$5,624/mo21%
Architect$5,554/mo21%
Police Officer$5,550/mo21%
Computer Programmer$5,535/mo21%
Industrial Engineer$5,494/mo21%
Systems Analyst$5,425/mo22%
Financial Analyst$5,383/mo22%
Registered Nurse$5,381/mo22%
Financial Examiner$5,327/mo22%
Non-Retail Sales Worker$5,241/mo22%
Insurance Underwriter$5,175/mo23%
Web and Digital Interface Designer$5,130/mo23%
Construction Supervisor$5,121/mo23%
Special Education Teachers, Middle School$5,111/mo23%
Sonographer$5,104/mo23%
Occupational Health and Safety Specialist$5,103/mo23%
Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary School$5,060/mo23%
Social and Community Service Manager$5,051/mo23%
Credit Analyst$5,047/mo23%
Dental Hygienist$5,041/mo23%
Logistician$5,019/mo23%
High School Teacher$4,999/mo24%
Respiratory Therapist$4,989/mo24%
Chiropractor$4,935/mo24%
Chemist$4,921/mo24%
Accountant$4,899/mo24%
Mechanics, Installers, and Repairer$4,882/mo24%
Cost Estimator$4,878/mo24%
Sales Representative$4,874/mo24%
Computer Network Support Specialist$4,872/mo24%
Elementary School Teacher$4,842/mo24%
Compliance Officer$4,776/mo25%
Psychologist$4,776/mo25%
Firefighter$4,718/mo25%
Operations Research Analyst$4,644/mo25%
Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health$4,571/mo26%
Instructional Coordinator$4,509/mo26%
Production and Operating Worker$4,492/mo26%
Special Ed Teacher$4,482/mo26%
Claims Adjuster$4,453/mo26%
Special Education Teachers, Secondary School$4,449/mo26%
Buyers and Purchasing Agent$4,358/mo27%
Editor$4,321/mo27%
Radiologic Technologist$4,308/mo27%
Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technician$4,276/mo28%
Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistant$4,273/mo28%
Electrician$4,271/mo28%
School Counselor$4,180/mo28%
Loan Officer$4,175/mo28%
Producers and Director$4,168/mo28%
Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technician$4,154/mo28%
Food Service Manager$4,146/mo28%
Dietitian$4,109/mo29%
Interior Designer$4,107/mo29%
Plumber$4,105/mo29%
Sheet Metal Worker$4,098/mo29%
Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialist$4,089/mo29%
Writer$4,063/mo29%
Librarian$4,061/mo29%
Property Manager$4,051/mo29%
Civil Engineering Technologists and Technician$4,045/mo29%
Healthcare Social Worker$4,043/mo29%
Architectural and Civil Drafter$4,030/mo29%
Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialist$4,030/mo29%
Office and Administrative Support Worker$4,020/mo29%
Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agent$4,020/mo29%
HR Specialist$4,009/mo29%
Public Relations Specialist$4,008/mo29%
Construction and Building Inspector$3,985/mo30%
Market Research Analyst$3,979/mo30%
Paralegals and Legal Assistant$3,979/mo30%
Training and Development Specialist$3,976/mo30%
Fundraiser$3,957/mo30%
Industrial Machinery Mechanic$3,945/mo30%
Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technician$3,933/mo30%
Chef$3,913/mo30%
Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installer$3,897/mo30%
Physical Therapist Assistant$3,895/mo30%
Licensed Practical Nurse$3,877/mo30%
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operator$3,869/mo30%
Insurance Agent$3,864/mo30%
Correctional Officer$3,851/mo31%
Medical Equipment Repairer$3,828/mo31%
Postal Service Clerk$3,806/mo31%
HVAC Technician$3,786/mo31%
Carpenter$3,718/mo32%
Surgical Technologist$3,701/mo32%
Massage Therapist$3,691/mo32%
Clergy$3,673/mo32%
Postal Service Mail Carrier$3,661/mo32%
Diesel Mechanic$3,649/mo32%
Truck Driver$3,630/mo32%
Equipment Operator$3,626/mo32%
Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technician$3,608/mo33%
IT Support Specialist$3,604/mo33%
Eligibility Interviewers, Government Program$3,584/mo33%
Landscaping, Lawn Service, and Groundskeeping Worker$3,558/mo33%
Security Worker$3,539/mo33%
Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operator$3,474/mo34%
Biological Technician$3,441/mo34%
Cement Masons and Concrete Finisher$3,403/mo35%
Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installer$3,403/mo35%
Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity$3,400/mo35%
Graphic Designer$3,380/mo35%
Paramedic$3,318/mo35%
Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistant$3,305/mo36%
Machinist$3,289/mo36%
Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerk$3,283/mo36%
Chemical Equipment Operators and Tender$3,282/mo36%
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselor$3,279/mo36%
Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator$3,266/mo36%
Meeting, Convention, and Event Planner$3,266/mo36%
Payroll and Timekeeping Clerk$3,266/mo36%
Social Worker$3,259/mo36%
Public Safety Telecommunicator$3,214/mo37%
Welder$3,211/mo37%
Painter$3,184/mo37%
Journalist$3,165/mo37%
Audio and Video Technician$3,160/mo37%
Advertising Sales Agent$3,158/mo37%
Real Estate Agent$3,143/mo37%
Roofer$3,142/mo37%
Auto Mechanic$3,114/mo38%
Construction Laborer$3,108/mo38%
Highway Maintenance Worker$3,105/mo38%
Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tender$3,090/mo38%
Automotive Body and Related Repairer$3,085/mo38%
Maintenance Worker$3,067/mo38%
Rehabilitation Counselor$3,062/mo38%
Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tender$3,048/mo39%
Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$3,046/mo39%
Dental Assistant$3,034/mo39%
Cargo and Freight Agent$3,027/mo39%
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collector$3,017/mo39%
Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weigher$3,014/mo39%
Retail Supervisor$3,009/mo39%
Personal Service Worker$3,008/mo39%
Industrial Truck and Tractor Operator$3,004/mo39%
Medical Records Specialist$3,000/mo39%
Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tender$2,998/mo39%
Fitness Trainer$2,997/mo39%
Insurance Claims and Policy Processing Clerk$2,990/mo39%
Bookkeeper$2,987/mo39%
Housekeeping and Janitorial Worker$2,986/mo39%
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Worker$2,971/mo40%
Loan Interviewers and Clerk$2,955/mo40%
Court, Municipal, and License Clerk$2,938/mo40%
Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$2,936/mo40%
Bill and Account Collector$2,934/mo40%
Printing Press Operator$2,919/mo40%
Medical Equipment Preparer$2,916/mo40%
Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenter$2,904/mo40%
Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$2,901/mo41%
Skincare Specialist$2,881/mo41%
Billing and Posting Clerk$2,863/mo41%
Sports Coach$2,833/mo42%
Veterinary Technologists and Technician$2,787/mo42%
Phlebotomist$2,781/mo42%
Admin Assistant$2,731/mo43%
Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tender$2,720/mo43%
Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerk$2,715/mo43%
Bus Drivers, School$2,707/mo43%
Tutor$2,706/mo43%
Customer Service Rep$2,704/mo43%
Pest Control Worker$2,664/mo44%
Social and Human Service Assistant$2,660/mo44%
Computer, Automated Teller, and Office Machine Repairer$2,658/mo44%
Office Clerk$2,652/mo44%
Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$2,607/mo45%
Medical Assistant$2,566/mo46%
Psychiatric Technician$2,565/mo46%
Delivery Driver$2,558/mo46%
Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmer$2,552/mo46%
Warehouse Worker$2,547/mo46%
Ophthalmic Medical Technician$2,542/mo46%
Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistant$2,538/mo46%
Counter and Rental Clerk$2,532/mo46%
Food Batchmaker$2,508/mo47%
Nursing Assistant$2,505/mo47%
Order Clerk$2,500/mo47%
Opticians, Dispensing$2,485/mo47%
File Clerk$2,478/mo47%
Substitute Teachers, Short-Term$2,475/mo48%
Food Service Supervisor$2,473/mo48%
Self-Enrichment Teacher$2,471/mo48%
Tax Preparer$2,465/mo48%
Library Technician$2,439/mo48%
Butchers and Meat Cutter$2,436/mo48%
Data Entry Keyer$2,434/mo48%
Teller$2,421/mo49%
Slaughterers and Meat Packer$2,409/mo49%
Pharmacy Technician$2,399/mo49%
Packers and Packagers, Hand$2,398/mo49%
EMT$2,397/mo49%
Residential Advisor$2,397/mo49%
Parts Salesperson$2,381/mo49%
Tire Repairers and Changer$2,374/mo50%
Sewing Machine Operator$2,367/mo50%
Landscaper$2,366/mo50%
Photographer$2,341/mo50%
Security Guard$2,341/mo50%
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria$2,339/mo50%
Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretaker$2,328/mo51%
Stockers and Order Filler$2,320/mo51%
Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmer$2,317/mo51%
Driver/Sales Worker$2,302/mo51%
Crossing Guards and Flagger$2,301/mo51%
Reservation and Transportation Ticket Agents and Travel Clerk$2,299/mo51%
Couriers and Messenger$2,297/mo51%
Preschool Teacher$2,286/mo51%
Janitor$2,261/mo52%
Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment$2,233/mo53%
Receptionist$2,201/mo53%
Baker$2,168/mo54%
Telemarketer$2,155/mo55%
Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeur$2,135/mo55%
Recreation Worker$2,118/mo56%
Restaurant Cook$2,094/mo56%
Teaching Assistant$2,094/mo56%
Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse$2,069/mo57%
Hairdresser$2,026/mo58%
Maids and Housekeeping Cleaner$1,999/mo59%
Food Servers, Nonrestaurant$1,994/mo59%
Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Worker$1,985/mo59%
School Bus Monitor$1,970/mo60%
Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendant$1,969/mo60%
Retail Salesperson$1,962/mo60%
Parking Attendant$1,942/mo61%
Hotel, Motel, and Resort Desk Clerk$1,935/mo61%
Server$1,931/mo61%
Animal Caretaker$1,890/mo62%
Home Health Aide$1,885/mo62%
Cooks, Short Order$1,863/mo63%
Food Preparation Worker$1,862/mo63%
Childcare Worker$1,847/mo64%
Library Assistants, Clerical$1,840/mo64%
Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Worker$1,839/mo64%
Dishwasher$1,832/mo64%
Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop$1,824/mo64%
Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Taker$1,817/mo65%
Cashier$1,816/mo65%
Fast Food and Counter Worker$1,806/mo65%
Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helper$1,797/mo65%
Manicurists and Pedicurist$1,780/mo66%
Cooks, Fast Food$1,661/mo71%
Amusement and Recreation Attendant$1,580/mo74%
Bartender$1,478/mo80%

Pay is BLS OEWS 2023 state median wages after a rough ~22% tax estimate — a ballpark, not a real paycheck. It doesn't include state taxes, insurance, transport, or the cost of moving.

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