In 2020, the Pew Charitable Trusts’ Philadelphia research and policy initiative released an analysis to determine how Philadelphia’s minimum wage compares with the rate in other major U.S. cities. The research found that a majority of major U.S. cities have higher minimums than Philadelphia, some substantially higher, although 14 of the 31 cities studied are also at $7.25. When the overall level of wages in each metropolitan area is taken into account, Philadelphia has what is effectively the lowest minimum wage of any of those cities. The analysis looks at the change in minimum wage in major American cities as well as who earns this wage in Philadelphia. Additionally, the presentation will preview new research from Pew regarding “middle-wage jobs”, positions though to produce enough income to live on and, in many cases, are available to people without college educations. Pew found that the largest number of these jobs are found in healthcare and social assistance, educational services, public administration, and transportation and warehousing. While the overall number of people working has grown in recent years, the number with middle-wage jobs in Philadelphia has remained unchanged. Additionally, the demographics of middle-wage job holders are shifting for more of these positions being taken by individuals with at least a Bachelor’s degree.

The presentation will focus on the findings from both of these reports, with a specific focus on the comparative findings from multiple jurisdictions.