Pennsylvania has several labor laws in place to protect the rights of workers. Some of the most important labor laws in Pennsylvania include:
Minimum Wage: The minimum wage in Pennsylvania is $7.25 per hour, which is the same as the federal minimum wage.
Overtime Pay: Employers in Pennsylvania are required to pay overtime to employees who work more than 40 hours in a workweek. The overtime rate is 1.5 times the employee's regular hourly rate.
Non-Discrimination: Pennsylvania has laws that prohibit employers from discriminating against employees based on their race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, disability, or genetic information.
Workers' Compensation: Employers in Pennsylvania are required to provide workers' compensation insurance to employees who are injured on the job.
Paid Leave: Employers in Pennsylvania are not required to provide paid leave, but many employers do offer paid vacation or sick leave.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of January 2022, the labor force in Pennsylvania was approximately 6.4 million people, with an unemployment rate of 4.4%. The median hourly wage for all occupations in Pennsylvania was $19.02, which is slightly higher than the national median of $19.14.
The largest employment sectors in Pennsylvania are:
Trade, Transportation, and Utilities
Education and Health Services
Government
Leisure and Hospitality
Manufacturing
In terms of job growth, some of the fastest-growing occupations in Pennsylvania include:
Healthcare support occupations
Construction and extraction occupations
Personal care and service occupations
Management occupations
Computer and mathematical occupations
Overall, Pennsylvania has a diverse economy with opportunities in a variety of industries. However, it's important for workers and employers to be aware of the state's labor laws to ensure fair treatment and compliance with regulations.
Major cities in Pennsylvania include: Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Allentown, Erie, Reading, Scranton, Bethlehem, Lancaster, Harrisburg, Altoona, York, State College, Wilkes-Barre, Norristown, Easton, Williamsport, Lebanon, Hazleton, New Castle, Hermitage