What does this measure?

The average annual salary paid to workers in each economic sector.

Why is this important?

Salaries are a gauge of overall economic health and a measure of the degree to which employees are sharing in the prosperity of a community or a specific economic sector. They also indicate the vitality of specific sectors and their demand for workers.

How is our county performing?

In 2017, the three highest-paid sectors in Berks County were Financial Activities, with an average salary of $74,500, Construction, at $61,300, and Professional and Business Services, at $61,600. Salaries were higher at both the state and national level in two of these sectors. For example, the average salary for Financial Activities was 13% higher in Pennsylvania, at $85,400, and 20% higher nationally, at $92,700.

Similar to Berks, Financial Activities was the highest-paid sector in Chester, Lancaster and Montgomery counties. Professional and Business Services ranked highest in Lehigh County. In Schuylkill County, the Manufacturing sector received the highest average salary, while Information was the highest-paid sector in Lebanon County.

Notes about the data

Figures are in constant 2017 dollars. Industries in which most of the workforce is part-time (such as Leisure and Hospitality) may appear to pay even lower salaries than they do in comparison with sectors that have more full-time workers. Data for this indicator for 2018 are expected to be released in the third quarter of 2019.

There may be additional research available on this topic. Click on Reports and Resources to learn more.