Overview
- WalletHub assessed all 50 states on job market and economic environment using 34 weighted metrics drawn from sources including the Census Bureau, the Bureau of Labor Statistics and Indeed.
- Pennsylvania’s job-market subranking dropped to 29th from 10th year over year, with WalletHub noting elevated unemployment pressures and underemployment at 6.6%.
- The state’s economic environment ranked 48th, down from 45th last year, which WalletHub links to low job security and limited employee protections.
- Analysts highlight higher tax burdens for low- and middle-income workers and the lack of a statewide earned-income tax credit, though a Senate bill could change that policy.
- Positives cited for Pennsylvania include a strong share of workers with private health insurance, a low percentage of discouraged workers and credit for a shared-work program that helps employers avoid layoffs.