Updated May 2026 · BLS OEWS 2025 reference period
65 Highest Paying Jobs in Pennsylvania (2026)
The highest-paying job in Pennsylvania is Obstetrician/Gynecologist with a state-aggregated median salary of $320,040 as of 2026, based on Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data weighted across the state's 2 BLS-tracked metros. Across all 65 occupations the average median is $112,352, with 33 occupations paying a six-figure ($100K+) median. Pennsylvania's average cost-of-living index is 105, so the average median equates to $107,002 of buying power in an average-cost U.S. metro.
The 65 occupations below are ranked by median wage across Pennsylvania — rolling up wage data across all metropolitan areas in the state. State-level rollups smooth over the substantial intra-state wage variation typical of larger states. For state-level wage comparisons, BLS OEWS state files aggregate across MSAs and non-MSA areas. The aggregation hides legitimate within-state differences: a job in Pennsylvania's primary metro often pays substantially more (and costs substantially more to live near) than the same job in smaller cities.
Use the per-metro pages for the geographic-specific view. The state-level ranking is most useful for comparing Pennsylvania to other states, not for comparing within-state options.
Top 10 Highest-Paying Jobs in Pennsylvania
Ranked by state-aggregated median (50th percentile) salary, employment-weighted across Pennsylvania's 2 BLS-tracked metros.
State median $320,040 · 250 jobs · top metro: Philadelphia ($320,040)
Obstetrician/Gynecologists in Pennsylvania earn $320,040 median state-wide. Pay varies meaningfully across the state's metros — the top-paying metro (Philadelphia) pays $320,040 median, materially above the state aggregate.
State median $285,338 · 3,520 jobs · top metro: Philadelphia ($294,430)
Family Medicine Physicians in Pennsylvania earn $285,338 median state-wide. Pay varies meaningfully across the state's metros — the top-paying metro (Philadelphia) pays $294,430 median, materially above the state aggregate.
State median $221,273 · 1,210 jobs · top metro: Philadelphia ($226,440)
Pediatricians in Pennsylvania earn $221,273 median state-wide. Pay varies meaningfully across the state's metros — the top-paying metro (Philadelphia) pays $226,440 median, materially above the state aggregate.
State median $169,737 · 20,380 jobs · top metro: Philadelphia ($173,470)
Computer and Information Systems Managers in Pennsylvania earn $169,737 median state-wide. Pay varies meaningfully across the state's metros — the top-paying metro (Philadelphia) pays $173,470 median, materially above the state aggregate.
State median $162,169 · 24,590 jobs · top metro: Philadelphia ($170,660)
Lawyers in Pennsylvania earn $162,169 median state-wide. Pay varies meaningfully across the state's metros — the top-paying metro (Philadelphia) pays $170,660 median, materially above the state aggregate.
State median $161,029 · 3,620 jobs · top metro: Philadelphia ($163,390)
Dentists in Pennsylvania earn $161,029 median state-wide. Pay varies meaningfully across the state's metros — the top-paying metro (Philadelphia) pays $163,390 median, materially above the state aggregate.
State median $159,009 · 24,980 jobs · top metro: Philadelphia ($166,920)
Financial Managers in Pennsylvania earn $159,009 median state-wide. Pay varies meaningfully across the state's metros — the top-paying metro (Philadelphia) pays $166,920 median, materially above the state aggregate.
State median $158,588 · 10,330 jobs · top metro: Philadelphia ($166,310)
Marketing Managers in Pennsylvania earn $158,588 median state-wide. Pay varies meaningfully across the state's metros — the top-paying metro (Philadelphia) pays $166,310 median, materially above the state aggregate.
State median $148,189 · 5,790 jobs · top metro: Philadelphia ($154,490)
Human Resources Managers in Pennsylvania earn $148,189 median state-wide. Pay varies meaningfully across the state's metros — the top-paying metro (Philadelphia) pays $154,490 median, materially above the state aggregate.
State median $147,820 · 14,090 jobs · top metro: Philadelphia ($156,500)
Sales Managers in Pennsylvania earn $147,820 median state-wide. Pay varies meaningfully across the state's metros — the top-paying metro (Philadelphia) pays $156,500 median, materially above the state aggregate.
Full Ranking: All 65 Tracked Occupations
| Rank | Role | Category | State Median | Top Metro | Top Median | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Obstetrician/Gynecologist | Healthcare | $320,040 | Philadelphia | $320,040 | 250 |
| 2 | Family Medicine Physician | Healthcare | $285,338 | Philadelphia | $294,430 | 3,520 |
| 3 | Pediatrician | Healthcare | $221,273 | Philadelphia | $226,440 | 1,210 |
| 4 | Computer and Information Systems Manager | Technology | $169,737 | Philadelphia | $173,470 | 20,380 |
| 5 | Lawyer | Legal | $162,169 | Philadelphia | $170,660 | 24,590 |
| 6 | Dentist | Healthcare | $161,029 | Philadelphia | $163,390 | 3,620 |
| 7 | Financial Manager | Finance | $159,009 | Philadelphia | $166,920 | 24,980 |
| 8 | Marketing Manager | Management | $158,588 | Philadelphia | $166,310 | 10,330 |
| 9 | Human Resources Manager | Management | $148,189 | Philadelphia | $154,490 | 5,790 |
| 10 | Sales Manager | Management | $147,820 | Philadelphia | $156,500 | 14,090 |
| 11 | Optometrist | Healthcare | $147,324 | Philadelphia | $153,980 | 1,230 |
| 12 | Pharmacist | Healthcare | $143,817 | Philadelphia | $148,740 | 9,760 |
| 13 | Veterinarian | Healthcare | $136,776 | Philadelphia | $139,810 | 2,430 |
| 14 | Computer Network Architect | Technology | $134,750 | Philadelphia | $138,850 | 4,180 |
| 15 | Nurse Practitioner | Healthcare | $131,987 | Philadelphia | $135,700 | 8,570 |
| 16 | Physician Assistant | Healthcare | $131,161 | Philadelphia | $135,640 | 5,950 |
| 17 | Software Developer | Technology | $130,769 | Philadelphia | $133,040 | 38,800 |
| 18 | Software Quality Assurance Analyst | Technology | $125,943 | Pittsburgh | $130,300 | 400 |
| 19 | Information Security Analyst | Technology | $124,047 | Philadelphia | $132,560 | 3,840 |
| 20 | Electrical Engineer | Engineering | $120,533 | Philadelphia | $127,730 | 5,150 |
| 21 | Computer Occupations (Other) | Technology | $116,925 | Philadelphia | $121,990 | 10,120 |
| 22 | Medical and Health Services Manager | Healthcare | $116,542 | Philadelphia | $122,920 | 20,050 |
| 23 | Personal Financial Advisor | Finance | $116,353 | Philadelphia | $116,560 | 9,420 |
| 24 | General and Operations Manager | Management | $115,165 | Philadelphia | $121,630 | 99,750 |
| 25 | Business Professor (Postsecondary) | Education | $111,456 | Pittsburgh | $121,760 | 3,200 |
| 26 | Data Scientist | Technology | $106,475 | Philadelphia | $109,910 | 8,750 |
| 27 | Database Architect | Technology | $104,274 | Philadelphia | $104,930 | 2,050 |
| 28 | Physical Therapist | Healthcare | $103,754 | Philadelphia | $105,790 | 8,370 |
| 29 | Computer Systems Analyst | Technology | $102,578 | Philadelphia | $105,050 | 13,750 |
| 30 | Industrial Engineer | Engineering | $102,036 | Philadelphia | $103,370 | 8,310 |
| 31 | Engineers (Other) | Engineering | $101,848 | Pittsburgh | $112,420 | 3,030 |
| 32 | Mechanical Engineer | Engineering | $101,757 | Philadelphia | $104,410 | 8,320 |
| 33 | Occupational Therapist | Healthcare | $100,003 | Philadelphia | $103,140 | 4,580 |
| 34 | Civil Engineer | Engineering | $99,926 | Pittsburgh | $100,680 | 10,370 |
| 35 | Web Developer | Technology | $99,214 | Philadelphia | $104,840 | 2,020 |
| 36 | Computer Programmer | Technology | $98,336 | Philadelphia | $101,420 | 2,190 |
| 37 | Software Quality Assurance Tester | Technology | $98,008 | Philadelphia | $102,740 | 3,480 |
| 38 | Statistician | Technology | $97,566 | Philadelphia | $105,820 | 1,260 |
| 39 | Operations Research Analyst | Technology | $96,846 | Philadelphia | $100,460 | 2,130 |
| 40 | Management Analyst | Management | $96,791 | Philadelphia | $100,920 | 21,370 |
| 41 | Registered Nurse | Healthcare | $95,826 | Philadelphia | $101,180 | 103,150 |
| 42 | Speech-Language Pathologist | Healthcare | $94,950 | Philadelphia | $100,080 | 4,630 |
| 43 | Network Architect | Technology | $94,867 | Philadelphia | $100,460 | 5,620 |
| 44 | Architect | Engineering | $94,284 | Philadelphia | $98,140 | 3,160 |
| 45 | Dental Hygienist | Healthcare | $94,001 | Philadelphia | $100,820 | 5,760 |
| 46 | Financial Analyst | Finance | $92,927 | Philadelphia | $95,400 | 12,440 |
| 47 | Web Designer | Technology | $91,246 | Philadelphia | $94,570 | 1,120 |
| 48 | Financial Examiner | Finance | $86,315 | Pittsburgh | $97,910 | 2,090 |
| 49 | Writer/Author | Creative | $84,130 | Philadelphia | $84,130 | 560 |
| 50 | Audiologist | Healthcare | $84,082 | Philadelphia | $91,970 | 370 |
| 51 | Accountant | Finance | $83,618 | Philadelphia | $85,990 | 39,800 |
| 52 | Secondary School Teacher | Education | $80,776 | Pittsburgh | $81,350 | 35,060 |
| 53 | Computer Network Support Specialist | Technology | $80,573 | Philadelphia | $81,230 | 2,860 |
| 54 | Elementary School Teacher | Education | $78,072 | Philadelphia | $78,570 | 31,020 |
| 55 | Loan Officer | Finance | $76,591 | Philadelphia | $77,590 | 6,100 |
| 56 | Market Research Analyst | Management | $75,863 | Philadelphia | $79,420 | 22,540 |
| 57 | Plumber | Trades | $73,483 | Philadelphia | $74,860 | 10,060 |
| 58 | Electrician | Trades | $72,802 | Philadelphia | $74,590 | 15,300 |
| 59 | Paralegal | Legal | $69,134 | Philadelphia | $70,430 | 13,770 |
| 60 | Public Relations Specialist | Creative | $62,183 | Philadelphia | $64,550 | 7,190 |
| 61 | Graphic Designer | Creative | $61,706 | Philadelphia | $63,090 | 4,560 |
| 62 | Carpenter | Trades | $61,604 | Philadelphia | $61,780 | 20,180 |
| 63 | Welder | Trades | $56,293 | Philadelphia | $58,380 | 8,230 |
| 64 | Clinical Laboratory Technologist | Healthcare | $56,161 | Philadelphia | $59,790 | 8,760 |
| 65 | Automotive Technician | Trades | $55,247 | Philadelphia | $58,460 | 19,130 |
Why These Roles Pay the Most in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania's economy combines pharmaceuticals (Philadelphia), finance, healthcare, and higher-education research. Cost of living near the national average; pay distribution is moderate with selective specialist premiums.
$Pennsylvania tracks $2 BLS-published metros covering approximately $815,050 workers across the $65 occupations on this page. State-aggregated medians are employment-weighted across metros, which is the right way to read "state pay" when BLS publishes by metro. The Obstetrician/Gynecologist top spot reflects Philadelphia pulling the upper end of the distribution; smaller metros in Pennsylvania typically pay 10–25% less for the same role.
Metro-by-Metro Detail
For salary data specific to one metro within Pennsylvania, see:
Frequently Asked Questions
The highest paying job in Pennsylvania is Obstetrician/Gynecologist with a state median salary of $320,040. The top-paying metro for this role is Philadelphia at $320,040 median. The role employs roughly 250 workers across Pennsylvania.
33 of the 65 BLS-tracked occupations in Pennsylvania have a state-aggregated median salary of $100,000 or higher. That places this state in the upper tier nationally for high-paying occupations.
Across 65 BLS-tracked occupations, the average median salary in Pennsylvania is $112,352. The figure is employment-weighted across 2 metros, so larger occupations and larger metros contribute proportionally more. Cost-of-living-adjusted to a national-average baseline, it equates to $107,002.
BLS OEWS publishes wage data by Metropolitan Statistical Area. For Pennsylvania, this page aggregates Philadelphia, Pittsburgh. Some non-MSA areas (small towns, rural counties) are excluded from OEWS metro tables but covered in BLS state-level summaries; we use metro-level data to preserve the percentile granularity.
Every wage figure on this page is sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program at bls.gov/oes — public domain federal survey data covering about 1.2 million U.S. employers. State aggregates are computed by employment-weighting metro-level percentile wages across the BLS-tracked metros in Pennsylvania.
State aggregates are employment-weighted across the BLS-tracked metros in Pennsylvania, using OEWS 2025 data.
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2026.