The growth or decline in average salary, shown as a percentage gain or loss since 2000, in each economic sector.
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 a region and its ability to compete and attract workers.
Between 2000 and 2019, the average salary for Berks County workers increased 8%. This was less than Pennsylvania, where average salaries increased 14%, and the nation, up 13%. Most economic sectors in Berks County saw average salaries rise during this period, but the extent varied widely. The largest increase occurred in Financial Activities, up 38% to $77,100. Government workers on average experienced a 28% gain, to $55,900. The average Construction salary was up 23%. Educational Services, however, saw the average salary drop 20%, and the Leisure sector saw the average salary decline by 3%.
Among neighboring counties during the same period, Lancaster saw a smaller average salary increase than Berks of 5%. The increase in Lebanon and Lehigh was similar to Berks. Montgomery was up by 10% and Chester and Schuylkill up by 12%.
Figures are in constant 2019 dollars. Data for this indicator are released annually in September. 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 are released annually in September.
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| Construction | Educational Services | Financial Activities | Government | Health Care and Social Assistance | Information | Leisure and Hospitality | Manufacturing | Natural Resources and Mining | Other Services | Professional and Business Services | Trade, Transportation, and Utilities | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania | 21% | 12% | 31% | 20% | 13% | 29% | 10% | 6% | 35% | 16% | 31% | 7% | 14% |
| Berks County | 23% | -20% | 38% | 28% | 18% | 5% | -3% | 5% | 15% | 16% | 5% | 10% | 8% |
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| Chester County | 16% | 4% | 31% | 23% | 6% | 17% | -1% | -9% | 13% | -6% | 42% | -2% | 12% |
| Lancaster County | 10% | 1% | 39% | 14% | 19% | -7% | 1% | -2% | 13% | 16% | 35% | 3% | 5% |
| Lebanon County | 14% | -2% | 23% | 25% | 14% | 76% | 12% | -0% | 6% | 24% | 22% | 12% | 9% |
| Lehigh County | 18% | 6% | 30% | 29% | 24% | -16% | 6% | -4% | -6% | 8% | 42% | 1% | 8% |
| Montgomery County | 16% | 29% | 32% | 19% | 5% | -11% | 4% | 10% | 3% | 3% | 28% | 11% | 10% |
| Schuylkill County | 25% | -4% | 27% | 16% | 5% | -12% | 10% | 22% | 12% | 5% | 9% | 16% | 12% |
| Construction | Educational Services | Financial Activities | Government | Health Care and Social Assistance | Information | Leisure and Hospitality | Manufacturing | Natural Resources and Mining | Other Services | Professional and Business Services | Trade, Transportation, and Utilities | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania | $68,113 | $58,763 | $90,746 | $62,908 | $52,330 | $93,130 | $22,092 | $64,250 | $64,950 | $35,239 | $81,413 | $47,126 | $57,497 |
| Berks County | $64,795 | $38,167 | $77,051 | $55,892 | $53,787 | $56,641 | $16,802 | $62,157 | $40,155 | $30,360 | $62,580 | $42,663 | $51,180 |
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| Chester County | $74,531 | $56,989 | $124,701 | $57,093 | $50,005 | $103,813 | $21,593 | $77,406 | $44,192 | $34,352 | $112,271 | $56,961 | $72,529 |
| Lancaster County | $61,353 | $42,727 | $72,405 | $51,404 | $50,000 | $57,428 | $18,488 | $57,638 | $39,879 | $34,326 | $62,728 | $39,505 | $47,809 |
| Lebanon County | $55,714 | $46,118 | $52,506 | $51,941 | $51,853 | $75,683 | $16,391 | $52,070 | $40,790 | $27,529 | $38,397 | $39,160 | $44,362 |
| Lehigh County | $66,262 | $49,629 | $70,377 | $60,043 | $62,127 | $71,025 | $19,757 | $73,593 | $40,298 | $34,917 | $76,013 | $45,740 | $56,541 |
| Montgomery County | $81,655 | $58,280 | $113,396 | $65,732 | $53,196 | $93,282 | $21,906 | $94,465 | $45,695 | $36,832 | $97,358 | $57,090 | $71,665 |
| Schuylkill County | $50,950 | $42,839 | $51,231 | $53,518 | $41,951 | $45,694 | $14,955 | $57,329 | $47,470 | $25,100 | $45,923 | $37,133 | $43,648 |
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