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The Global Insight

What are the major industries in Philadelphia?

Author

Michael Gray

Updated on April 03, 2026

Philadelphia’s economic sectors include higher education, manufacturing, oil refining, food processing, health care and biotechnology, telecommunications, tourism and financial services.

What is the employment rate in Philadelphia?

Philadelphia City/County, PA

Data SeriesJan 2021June 2021
Unemployment Rate(2)11.2(p)9.4
Nonfarm Wage and Salary Employment
Total Nonfarm(3)659.0(p)674.5
12-month % change-11.3(p)4.8

How many people are employed in Philadelphia?

Table

Businesses
Total employer establishments, 201929,077
Total employment, 2019668,557
Total annual payroll, 2019 ($1,000)41,185,366
Total employment, percent change, 2018-20193.7%

What jobs are in demand in Philadelphia?

The 10 Fastest Growing Jobs In Pennsylvania For 2019

  • Interpreter And Translator.
  • Occupational Therapy Assistant.
  • Physical Therapist Assistant.
  • Physical Therapy Aide.
  • Nurse Practitioner.
  • Operations Analyst.
  • Home Health Aid.
  • Physical Therapist.

What are the 3 major industries of Pennsylvania?

Industries by Place in Pennsylvania

  • Agriculture.
  • Oil & Gas, and Mining.
  • Construction.
  • Manufacturing.
  • Wholesalers.
  • Retail.
  • Transportation.
  • Utilities.

Who is the largest employer in Pennsylvania?

Philadelphia International
State Profile: Largest Employers

#EmployerNumber of Employees
1Philadelphia International22,000
2John & Dorothy Morgan Cancer18,000
3Highmark Health11,746
4St Lukes Univ Health Ntwrk10,000

Does Philadelphia have a good job market?

Philadelphia has a less healthy job market than similarly sized metro areas.

What percentage is unemployment in PA?

Amount and Duration of Unemployment Benefits in Pennsylvania Your weekly benefit amount will be about 50% of your average weekly wages, subject to a weekly maximum of $572 (or $580 with dependents). Benefits are available for up to 26 weeks.

Is Philadelphia a black city?

Non-Hispanic Black people make up 32% of Philadelphia’s population, and 44% when including Hispanic Black people. The native Black population represents the vast majority of Black Americans in the city and about 39% of the citywide population.

Is Philadelphia a good place to live?

Live in an Affordable City with Good Job Growth With a growing job market and a cost of living that’s 4% below the national average, Philly is a great place to live for college students, young professionals, families with kids, and retirees alike!

How many jobs are in the Philadelphia area?

The Montgomery County-Bucks County-Chester County Metropolitan Division, with 37 percent of the area’s total nonfarm employment, lost 64,600 jobs over the year. The Philadelphia Metropolitan Division, which accounted for 32 percent of the area’s employment, lost 97,300 jobs since February 2020.

How many people work in the state of Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania Data Series Nov 2020 Dec 2020 Jan 2021 Feb 2021 Labor Force Data Civilian Labor Force ( 1) ( r) 6,311.0 ( r) 6,310.1 6,294.6 6,336.1 Employment ( 1) ( r) 5,865.4 ( r) 5,862.2 5,837.4 5,867.1 Unemployment ( 1) ( r) 445.6 ( r) 447.9 457.2 469.1

How does the Industrial Development Corporation help Philadelphia?

Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation enables the city to provide low-cost financing for acquisition, construction, and equipment. The city is eligible to receive state grants for site preparation and infrastructure for industrial development. Other programs provide individual businesses with low interest loans.

What are the major industries in Philadelphia PA?

Computer-based businesses, finance, telecommunications, insurance companies, and the printing and publishing industries are doing well.