Labor Day 2023: How much do York County workers earn? Check out wages by occupation

As the first Monday of September approaches, communities across the nation are gearing up to celebrate Labor Day ― a tribute to the hard-working people who form the backbone of our society. With parades and other planned festivities, this holiday serves as a reminder of the contributions and achievements of the labor force.

But what about their earnings?

York County's median household income fares slightly better than the state's median household income. In 2021, the median income for a household in York County was $72,543. In Pennsylvania, the median household income was $67,587.

For those just starting their careers in York County, the average entry-level wage is $27,540, compared to the rest of Pennsylvania's $27,980. For more experienced workers, the average annual wage is $66,060.

According to the most recent U.S. Census data, though, about 9.2% of York County households were in poverty and around 12.1% of Pennsylvania households were impoverished.

The largest workforce in York County is manufacturing, according to the 2022 quarterly census of employment and wages. Roughly 18% of all workers in the county fall into this category, compared to just 9.6% in the rest of the state.

Health and social services, retail, transportation and warehousing, and accommodations and food services round out the top five industries in the county.

The top five employers in the county are York Hospital, the federal government, WellSpan Medical Group, Wal-Mart Associates Inc. and WellSpan Health.

What do people in York County earn?

So, how much exactly are people in York County earning? That can vary quite a bit.

In manufacturing, a person can expect to make an average annual wage of $67,903 in York County, which is less than the average for the state: $72,177.

The highest-paid profession is a cardiologist, which brings an average annual wage of $478,340. The lowest-paid profession is lifeguards, ski patrol and other recreational protective services, with an average annual wage of $21,800.

A CEO makes an average annual wage of $179,590. On the opposite end of the wage spectrum is preschool teachers, who earn an average annual salary of $30,790.

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Cost of living vs. wages

Wages don't add up to much if the cost of living is high. This is another area where York County comes out on top, though, as recent data shows York County residents have some of the best purchasing power in the state.

A study by SmartAsset highlights the places in the country with the most favorable cost of living versus the median income of that area. This determines who has the highest purchasing power, and York County comes in at No. 5 in Pennsylvania.

The study looked at housing, health care, education, groceries, taxes, transportation and extra spending to determine the cost of living for an area. It reported that the median cost of living for York County is $43,930 a year, and the median income is $66,457.

According to Apartments.com, the average rent for a 739-square-foot apartment in the county is $1,248. The average mortgage cost was $1,598 from 2019-2021, per the U.S. Census Bureau. That price may have increased, however, due to higher interest rates, low housing inventory and York County being one of the most competitive real estate markets in the country.

Forbes offers an interesting tool to show you how other cities stack up to York County. You input your household income, where you live or a city you are curious to know about, then York County (or any city you may want to move to) and it calculates how much you'd need to earn to maintain your standard of living.

For example, when comparing a pre-taxed income of $110, 000 in Philadelphia to York County, the calculator said the cost of living is 8% lower in York and the total income needed to maintain the same lifestyle afforded by that income is more than $7,750 less. Transportation was 12% higher in York County, but home costs were 14% lower and utilities were 2% less. Healthcare was 9% lower, and groceries and other needed goods were 3% cheaper.

The tool doesn't list every city for a side-by-side comparison, but using it for major cities gives an idea of how far different wages can go in York County.

This article originally appeared on York Daily Record: Labor Day 2023: How much do York County Pa. workers earn?