The median household income in Pennsylvania is $77,971, which ranks in the top 51% nationally.
Top income thresholds in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania ranks #24 of 51 states (and D.C.) by median household income.
States with a similar income level
This state's median household income
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Median income · Single households
Below, Pennsylvania's numbers in more depth: where its $77,971 median ranks, the income lines for the top quarter and top tenth, a by-age earnings table, and county comparisons.
At $77,971, the typical household income in Pennsylvania lands 24th out of 51, 3% below the US median ($80,734). Keep in mind the numbers aren't price-adjusted, so they compare incomes, not purchasing power.
A household needs around $135,581 to be in Pennsylvania's top quarter; nationwide the bar is $141,925. The share of households at $200,000 or more is 12% versus 13% nationwide, 2 points lower.
For a more recent snapshot, the 2024 one-year survey shows $77,545 (−1% against the 2020–2024 average). We use the five-year figure elsewhere because it's more reliable for smaller areas.
About 12% of Pennsylvania households report income of $200,000 or more, the Census's top published bracket. By household income, the top 25% start at about $135,581, and the top 10% sit above $200,000. The table marks lines that fall above $200,000 rather than guessing their value: the Census groups everyone above that amount together, so the exact top-5% and top-1% cutoffs can't be read from this data.
If your household earns the US median of $80,734, you'd be about top 48% among Pennsylvania households, above the middle.
Comparing the two lines gives a ratio of 1.75 (top quarter over median), narrower than the 1.77 seen nationwide.
| Line | Household income |
|---|---|
| Median (top 50%) | $77,517 |
| Top 25% | $135,581 |
| Top 10% | Above $200,000 (top bracket) |
| Top 5% | Above $200,000 (top bracket) |
| Top 1% | Above $200,000 (top bracket) |
Earnings per worker in Pennsylvania peak at 45–54, with a median of $61,473, compared with $47,730 for workers aged 25–34. Compared age-for-age with the nation, the gap averages −1% and is largest at 65+: $31,484 here, $34,745 nationwide. These figures are personal earnings (wages plus self-employment) from Census microdata, so they're lower than household income, which can combine several earners.
| Age | Pennsylvania | United States |
|---|---|---|
| 25–34 | $47,730 | $46,177 |
| 35–44 | $59,820 | $58,657 |
| 45–54 | $61,473 | $60,915 |
| 55–64 | $55,860 | $55,860 |
| 65+ | $31,484 | $34,745 |
Married couples' median household income in Pennsylvania is $118,451; for single and non-family households it's $45,541. That 2.6× gap is mostly the second earner.
Chester County ($127,208) and Cameron County ($50,573) mark the two ends of a wide county range, 2.5 to 1. The five highest-income counties are Chester County, Bucks County, Montgomery County, Butler County, and Delaware County; the five lowest are Cameron County, Forest County, Fayette County, Cambria County, and Jefferson County.
12 of the 67 counties (18%) clear the US median of $80,734; the typical county, Juniata County, comes in at $66,318.
| Highest | Median | Lowest | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chester County | $127,208 | Cameron County | $50,573 |
| Bucks County | $114,764 | Forest County | $52,191 |
| Montgomery County | $113,915 | Fayette County | $58,236 |
| Butler County | $89,843 | Cambria County | $58,418 |
| Delaware County | $89,546 | Jefferson County | $58,686 |
Sources for this section: ACS 2020–2024 five-year tables for household income (state and 67 counties), plus 290,038 person-level microdata records for the age breakdown. Groups under 100 records are left blank.
Reference statistics only — not financial advice.
US Census Bureau, ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates (B19013, B19001)
Based on US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates — actual figures may differ from your real income/assets. Not financial advice.