Institute for Public Policy
& Economic Development
Scranton and Wilkes-Barre, PA locations
In 2015, the population in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania was 318,449. Between 2005 and 2015, the region’s population grew at an annual average rate of 0.1%.
The region has a civilian labor force of 159,734 with a participation rate of 60.4%. Of individuals 25 to 64 in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, 24.0% have a bachelor’s degree or higher which compares with 31.3% in the nation.
The median household income in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania is $45,897 and the median house value is $122,700.
| Summary1 | ||||||
| Percent | Value | |||||
| Luzerne County, Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | USA | Luzerne County, Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | USA | |
| Demographics | ||||||
| Population2 | — | — | — | 318,449 | 12,802,503 | 321,418,820 |
| Population Annual Average Growth2 | 0.1% | 0.3% | 0.8% | 226 | 35,251 | 2,590,222 |
| Median Age3 | — | — | — | 42.5 | 40.1 | 37.2 |
| Under 18 Years | 20.2% | 22.0% | 24.0% | 64,800 | 2,792,155 | 74,181,467 |
| 18 to 24 Years | 9.3% | 9.9% | 9.9% | 29,989 | 1,261,381 | 30,672,088 |
| 25 to 34 Years | 11.0% | 11.9% | 13.3% | 35,193 | 1,511,119 | 41,063,948 |
| 35 to 44 Years | 12.9% | 12.7% | 13.3% | 41,526 | 1,615,669 | 41,070,606 |
| 45 to 54 Years | 15.2% | 15.3% | 14.6% | 48,780 | 1,940,404 | 45,006,716 |
| 55 to 64 Years | 13.4% | 12.8% | 11.8% | 43,035 | 1,622,344 | 36,482,729 |
| 65 to 74 Years | 8.6% | 7.7% | 7.0% | 27,544 | 979,538 | 21,713,429 |
| 75 Years, and Over | 9.4% | 7.7% | 6.0% | 30,051 | 979,769 | 18,554,555 |
| Race: White | 90.7% | 81.9% | 72.4% | 290,943 | 10,406,288 | 223,553,265 |
| Race: Black or African American | 3.4% | 10.8% | 12.6% | 10,767 | 1,377,689 | 38,929,319 |
| Race: American Indian and Alaska Native | 0.2% | 0.2% | 0.9% | 558 | 26,843 | 2,932,248 |
| Race: Asian | 1.0% | 2.7% | 4.8% | 3,135 | 349,088 | 14,674,252 |
| Race: Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.2% | 57 | 3,653 | 540,013 |
| Race: Some Other Race | 3.3% | 2.4% | 6.2% | 10,555 | 300,983 | 19,107,368 |
| Race: Two or More Races | 1.5% | 1.9% | 2.9% | 4,903 | 237,835 | 9,009,073 |
| Hispanic or Latino (of any race) | 6.7% | 5.7% | 16.3% | 21,491 | 719,660 | 50,477,594 |
| Economic | ||||||
| Labor Force Participation Rate and Size (civilian population 16 years and over)4 | 60.4% | 62.8% | 63.3% | 159,734 | 6,516,882 | 158,897,824 |
| Armed Forces Labor Force4 | 0.1% | 0.0% | 0.4% | 164 | 4,877 | 1,015,464 |
| Veterans, Age 18-644 | 5.8% | 5.2% | 5.5% | 11,378 | 411,502 | 10,750,884 |
| Median Household Income3,4 | — | — | — | $45,897 | $53,599 | $53,889 |
| Per Capita Income3,4 | — | — | — | $25,224 | $29,291 | $28,930 |
| Poverty Level (of all people)4 | 15.8% | 13.5% | 15.5% | 48,822 | 1,666,569 | 47,749,043 |
| Households Receiving Food Stamps4 | 16.4% | 12.9% | 13.2% | 21,135 | 637,866 | 15,399,651 |
| Mean Commute Time (minutes)4 | — | — | — | 22.1 | 26.3 | 25.9 |
| Commute via Public Transportation4 | 1.2% | 5.6% | 5.1% | 1,677 | 326,404 | 7,362,038 |
| Union Membership5 | 14.8% | 12.7% | 11.1% | — | — | — |
| Educational Attainment, Age 25-64 | ||||||
| No High School Diploma4 | 8.7% | 8.5% | 11.8% | 14,508 | 569,645 | 19,736,243 |
| High School Graduate4 | 36.1% | 33.8% | 26.4% | 60,466 | 2,274,786 | 43,982,863 |
| Some College, No Degree4 | 20.5% | 17.2% | 21.7% | 34,368 | 1,159,475 | 36,187,232 |
| Associate’s Degree4 | 10.7% | 9.1% | 8.8% | 17,949 | 613,510 | 14,742,654 |
| Bachelor’s Degree4 | 15.5% | 19.6% | 19.9% | 25,943 | 1,318,725 | 33,245,950 |
| Postgraduate Degree4 | 8.5% | 11.8% | 11.4% | 14,147 | 793,585 | 18,952,103 |
| Housing | ||||||
| Total Housing Units4 | — | — | — | 148,441 | 5,585,611 | 133,351,840 |
| Median House Value (of owner-occupied units)3,4 | — | — | — | $122,700 | $166,000 | $178,600 |
| Homeowner Vacancy4 | 2.7% | 1.8% | 1.9% | 2,396 | 61,970 | 1,492,691 |
| Rental Vacancy4 | 4.9% | 5.9% | 6.4% | 2,160 | 97,321 | 2,949,366 |
| Renter-Occupied Housing Units (% of Occupied Units)4 | 32.4% | 30.8% | 36.1% | 41,639 | 1,527,069 | 42,214,214 |
| Occupied Housing Units with No Vehicle Available (% of Occupied Units)4 | 10.8% | 11.4% | 9.1% | 13,864 | 566,215 | 10,628,474 |
| Social | ||||||
| Enrolled in Grade 12 (% of total population)4 | 1.3% | 1.3% | 1.4% | 4,046 | 164,292 | 4,451,334 |
| Disconnected Youth4,6 | 2.1% | 2.6% | 3.0% | 349 | 17,840 | 518,859 |
| Children in Single Parent Families (% of all children)4 | 42.5% | 34.6% | 34.8% | 25,490 | 898,660 | 24,408,909 |
| Disabled, Age 18-644 | 12.4% | 11.0% | 10.3% | 23,936 | 862,720 | 19,985,588 |
| Disabled, Age 18-64, Labor Force Participation Rate and Size4 | 37.5% | 41.2% | 41.0% | 8,977 | 355,174 | 8,185,456 |
| Foreign Born4 | 5.4% | 6.3% | 13.2% | 17,415 | 800,519 | 41,717,420 |
| Speak English Less Than Very Well (population 5 yrs and over)4 | 3.9% | 4.1% | 8.6% | 11,919 | 492,286 | 25,410,756 |
Source: JobsEQ®
1, Census 2010, unless noted otherwise
2, Census 2015, annual average growth rate since 2005
3, Median values for certain aggregate regions (such as MSAs) may be estimated as the weighted averages of the median values from the composing counties.
4, ACS 2011-2015
5, 2014; Current Population Survey, unionstats.com, and Chmura; county- and zip-level data are best estimates based upon industry-, MSA-, and state-level data
6, Disconnected Youth are 16-19 year olds who are (1) not in school, (2) not high school graduates, and (3) either unemployed or not in the labor force.
As of 2016Q3, total employment for Luzerne County, Pennsylvania was 150,728 (based on a four-quarter moving average). Over the year ending 2016Q3, employment increased 1.0% in the region.
Employment data are derived from the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics and imputed where necessary. Data are updated through 2016Q1 with preliminary estimates updated to 2016Q3.
The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for Luzerne County, Pennsylvania was 6.5% as of November 2016. The regional unemployment rate was higher than the national rate of 5.0%. One year earlier, in November 2015, the unemployment rate in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania was 5.5%.
Unemployment rate data are from the Local Area Unemployment Statistics, provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics and updated through November 2016.
The average worker in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania earned annual wages of $40,927 as of 2016Q3. Average annual wages per worker increased 1.7% in the region during the preceding four quarters. For comparison purposes, annual average wages were $52,724 in the nation as of 2016Q3.
Annual average wages per worker data are derived from the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics and imputed where necessary. Data are updated through 2016Q1 with preliminary estimates updated to 2016Q3.
The Cost of Living Index estimates the relative price levels for consumer goods and services. When applied to wages and salaries, the result is a measure of relative purchasing power. The cost of living is 8.1% lower in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania than the U.S. average.
| Cost of Living Information | |||
| Annual Average Salary | Cost of Living Index (Base US) | US Purchasing Power | |
| Luzerne County, Pennsylvania | $41,067 | 91.9 | $44,671 |
| Pennsylvania | $52,640 | 98.7 | $53,341 |
| USA | $53,758 | 100.0 | $53,758 |
Source: JobsEQ®
Data as of 2016Q3
The Cost of Living Index is developed by Chmura Economics & Analytics and is updated quarterly.
The largest sector in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania is Health Care and Social Assistance, employing 25,569 workers. The next-largest sectors in the region are Retail Trade (18,562 workers) and Manufacturing (15,427). High location quotients (LQs) indicate sectors in which a region has high concentrations of employment compared to the national average. The sectors with the largest LQs in the region are Utilities (LQ = 2.81), Transportation and Warehousing (2.28), and Manufacturing (1.23).
Employment data are derived from the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics and imputed where necessary. Data are updated through 2016Q1 with preliminary estimates updated to 2016Q3.
Sectors in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania with the highest average wages per worker are Utilities ($103,095), Management of Companies and Enterprises ($65,159), and Finance and Insurance ($61,861). Regional sectors with the best job growth (or most moderate job losses) over the last 5 years are Transportation and Warehousing (+3,317 jobs), Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services (+2,490), and Accommodation and Food Services (+1,480).
Over the next 10 years, employment in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania is projected to expand by 907 jobs. The fastest growing sector in the region is expected to be Health Care and Social Assistance with a +1.6% year-over-year rate of growth. The strongest forecast by number of jobs over this period is expected for Health Care and Social Assistance (+4,346 jobs), Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services (+550), and Construction (+377).
| Current | Historical | Forecast | |||||||||
| Four Quarters Ending with 2016q3 | Total Change over the Last 5 Years | Average Annual % Change in Employment 2011q3-2016q3 | Over the Next 10 Years | ||||||||
| NAICS | Industry | Empl | Avg. Annual Wages | Location Quotient | Empl | Luzerne County, Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | USA | Total Approx Repl Demand | Total Growth Demand | Avg. Annual Growth Percent |
| 11 | Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting | 309 | $11,069 | 0.14 | 7 | 0.5% | 0.9% | 1.3% | 101 | -40 | -1.4% |
| 21 | Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction | 458 | $57,265 | 0.70 | 53 | 2.5% | -3.7% | -1.9% | 106 | -33 | -0.8% |
| 22 | Utilities | 2,277 | $103,095 | 2.81 | 205 | 1.9% | 1.8% | 0.1% | 541 | -314 | -1.5% |
| 23 | Construction | 6,103 | $44,991 | 0.74 | -1 | 0.0% | 1.2% | 3.1% | 1,225 | 377 | 0.6% |
| 31 | Manufacturing | 15,427 | $49,230 | 1.23 | 392 | 0.5% | -0.1% | 1.1% | 3,315 | -2,265 | -1.6% |
| 42 | Wholesale Trade | 5,794 | $55,282 | 0.97 | -666 | -2.2% | -0.5% | 1.2% | 1,248 | -229 | -0.4% |
| 44 | Retail Trade | 18,562 | $26,454 | 1.13 | 65 | 0.1% | 0.2% | 1.5% | 5,737 | 89 | 0.0% |
| 48 | Transportation and Warehousing | 14,173 | $39,356 | 2.28 | 3,317 | 5.5% | 2.1% | 2.4% | 3,597 | -655 | -0.5% |
| 51 | Information | 3,106 | $49,206 | 1.03 | -1,088 | -5.8% | -1.5% | 0.7% | 707 | -337 | -1.1% |
| 52 | Finance and Insurance | 5,360 | $61,861 | 0.89 | 180 | 0.7% | 0.2% | 1.0% | 1,249 | -78 | -0.1% |
| 53 | Real Estate and Rental and Leasing | 1,239 | $49,782 | 0.49 | 5 | 0.1% | 1.1% | 1.8% | 270 | -49 | -0.4% |
| 54 | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 4,580 | $53,800 | 0.46 | 527 | 2.5% | 2.1% | 2.6% | 963 | 235 | 0.5% |
| 55 | Management of Companies and Enterprises | 1,671 | $65,159 | 0.77 | -405 | -4.2% | 1.8% | 3.0% | 349 | -42 | -0.3% |
| 56 | Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | 11,182 | $26,801 | 1.14 | 2,490 | 5.2% | 1.8% | 2.9% | 2,551 | 550 | 0.5% |
| 61 | Educational Services | 10,394 | $44,478 | 0.83 | 96 | 0.2% | -1.3% | 0.4% | 2,154 | -82 | -0.1% |
| 62 | Health Care and Social Assistance | 25,569 | $46,196 | 1.21 | 585 | 0.5% | 1.2% | 2.3% | 5,263 | 4,346 | 1.6% |
| 71 | Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation | 1,835 | $23,626 | 0.62 | -980 | -8.2% | 0.3% | 2.3% | 556 | 6 | 0.0% |
| 72 | Accommodation and Food Services | 12,243 | $17,120 | 0.91 | 1,480 | 2.6% | 2.0% | 3.2% | 4,223 | -230 | -0.2% |
| 81 | Other Services (except Public Administration) | 4,785 | $24,821 | 0.71 | 93 | 0.4% | 0.6% | 0.0% | 1,181 | -106 | -0.2% |
| 92 | Public Administration | 5,662 | $50,482 | 0.79 | -685 | -2.3% | -0.9% | -0.2% | 1,338 | -235 | -0.4% |
| Total – All Industries | 150,728 | $40,927 | 1.00 | 5,668 | 0.8% | 0.7% | 1.7% | 36,601 | 907 | 0.1% | |
Source: JobsEQ®
Employment data are derived from the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics and imputed where necessary. Data are updated through 2016Q1 with preliminary estimates updated to 2016Q3. Forecast employment growth uses national projections adapted for regional growth patterns.
The largest major occupation group in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania is Office and Administrative Support Occupations, employing 24,278 workers. The next-largest occupation groups in the region are Transportation and Material Moving Occupations (16,261 workers) and Sales and Related Occupations (15,490). High location quotients (LQs) indicate occupation groups in which a region has high concentrations of employment compared to the national average. The major groups with the largest LQs in the region are Transportation and Material Moving Occupations (LQ = 1.60), Production Occupations (1.27), and Healthcare Support Occupations (1.20).
Occupation groups in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania with the highest average wages per worker are Management Occupations ($104,600), Architecture and Engineering Occupations ($73,900), and Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations ($70,000). The unemployment rate in the region varied among the major groups from 2.0% among Legal Occupations to 10.6% among Transportation and Material Moving Occupations.
Over the next 10 years, the fastest growing occupation group in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania is expected to be Healthcare Support Occupations with a +1.7% year-over-year rate of growth. The strongest forecast by number of jobs over this period is expected for Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations (+1,400 jobs) and Healthcare Support Occupations (+992). Over the same period, the highest replacement demand (occupation demand due to retirements and workers moving from one occupation to another) is expected in Office and Administrative Support Occupations (5,449 jobs) and Sales and Related Occupations (4,925).
| Occupation Snapshot in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania | ||||||||||||||
| Current | Historical | Forecast | ||||||||||||
| Four Quarters Ending with 2016q3 | 2016q3 | Total Change over the Last 5 Years | Avg Ann % Chg in Empl 2011q3-2016q3 | Over the Next 10 Years | ||||||||||
| SOC | Title | Empl | Avg. Annual Wages1 | LQ | Unempl | Unempl Rate | Empl | Luzerne County, Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | USA | Current Online Job Ads2 | Total Repl Demand | Total Growth Demand | Avg. Annual Growth Percent |
| 11-0000 | Management Occupations | 7,495 | $104,600 | 0.83 | 232 | 3.2% | 105 | 0.3% | 0.6% | 1.5% | 319 | 2,214 | -12 | 0.0% |
| 13-0000 | Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 5,992 | $61,200 | 0.82 | 275 | 4.7% | 95 | 0.3% | 0.9% | 1.6% | 198 | 1,335 | 91 | 0.2% |
| 15-0000 | Computer and Mathematical Occupations | 3,278 | $67,700 | 0.79 | 142 | 4.7% | 224 | 1.4% | 1.5% | 2.6% | 153 | 496 | 211 | 0.6% |
| 17-0000 | Architecture and Engineering Occupations | 1,721 | $73,900 | 0.68 | 48 | 2.9% | 43 | 0.5% | 0.5% | 1.2% | 60 | 426 | -90 | -0.5% |
| 19-0000 | Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations | 721 | $62,800 | 0.60 | 17 | 2.3% | -4 | -0.1% | 0.5% | 1.2% | 49 | 230 | 40 | 0.5% |
| 21-0000 | Community and Social Service Occupations | 2,661 | $42,800 | 1.11 | 116 | 4.6% | -350 | -2.4% | 0.4% | 1.6% | 109 | 596 | 309 | 1.1% |
| 23-0000 | Legal Occupations | 821 | $63,600 | 0.69 | 16 | 2.0% | -19 | -0.5% | -0.4% | 0.3% | 6 | 161 | 5 | 0.1% |
| 25-0000 | Education, Training, and Library Occupations | 7,322 | $52,000 | 0.86 | 551 | 7.3% | -41 | -0.1% | -1.2% | 0.5% | 183 | 1,544 | 31 | 0.0% |
| 27-0000 | Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations | 1,929 | $40,700 | 0.73 | 115 | 5.9% | -14 | -0.1% | 0.1% | 1.3% | 90 | 664 | -78 | -0.4% |
| 29-0000 | Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 9,513 | $70,000 | 1.12 | 246 | 2.7% | 631 | 1.4% | 0.7% | 1.6% | 585 | 2,116 | 1,400 | 1.4% |
| 31-0000 | Healthcare Support Occupations | 5,304 | $28,700 | 1.20 | 395 | 7.3% | 274 | 1.1% | 1.4% | 2.3% | 249 | 1,180 | 992 | 1.7% |
| 33-0000 | Protective Service Occupations | 2,870 | $41,300 | 0.98 | 159 | 5.4% | -4 | 0.0% | 0.4% | 0.9% | 122 | 645 | -52 | -0.2% |
| 35-0000 | Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 11,907 | $21,800 | 0.91 | 1,294 | 10.3% | 371 | 0.6% | 1.5% | 3.0% | 584 | 4,514 | -43 | 0.0% |
| 37-0000 | Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations | 4,413 | $25,200 | 0.81 | 381 | 8.1% | 321 | 1.5% | 0.5% | 1.1% | 202 | 992 | 48 | 0.1% |
| 39-0000 | Personal Care and Service Occupations | 5,786 | $23,900 | 0.97 | 395 | 6.7% | 139 | 0.5% | 2.1% | 2.2% | 252 | 1,475 | 548 | 0.9% |
| 41-0000 | Sales and Related Occupations | 15,490 | $34,500 | 0.98 | 1,218 | 7.7% | -240 | -0.3% | 0.1% | 1.5% | 1,302 | 4,925 | -401 | -0.3% |
| 43-0000 | Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 24,278 | $33,700 | 1.07 | 1,618 | 6.7% | 1,346 | 1.1% | 0.5% | 1.7% | 880 | 5,449 | -531 | -0.2% |
| 45-0000 | Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Occupations | 188 | $33,200 | 0.19 | 23 | 8.7% | 8 | 0.9% | 1.1% | 1.8% | 4 | 52 | -21 | -1.2% |
| 47-0000 | Construction and Extraction Occupations | 5,126 | $44,900 | 0.76 | 401 | 7.6% | 125 | 0.5% | 0.7% | 2.4% | 79 | 948 | 235 | 0.4% |
| 49-0000 | Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations | 5,838 | $44,600 | 1.01 | 319 | 5.4% | -51 | -0.2% | 0.7% | 1.7% | 318 | 1,439 | -110 | -0.2% |
| 51-0000 | Production Occupations | 11,814 | $35,200 | 1.27 | 1,063 | 8.8% | 436 | 0.8% | 0.3% | 1.5% | 248 | 3,070 | -1,304 | -1.2% |
| 53-0000 | Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 16,261 | $34,500 | 1.60 | 1,745 | 10.6% | 2,272 | 3.1% | 1.3% | 2.2% | 481 | 4,153 | -359 | -0.2% |
| 00-0000 | Total – All Occupations | 150,728 | $42,400 | 1.00 | n/a | n/a | 5,668 | 0.8% | 0.7% | 1.7% | 6,473 | 38,623 | 910 | 0.1% |
Source: JobsEQ®
Data as of 2016Q3 unless noted otherwise
Note: Figures may not sum due to rounding.
Occupation employment data are estimated via industry employment data and the estimated industry/occupation mix. Industry employment data are derived from the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics and currently updated through 2016Q1, imputed where necessary with preliminary estimates updated to 2016Q3. Wages by occupation are as of 2015 provided by the BLS and imputed where necessary. Forecast employment growth uses national projections from the Bureau of Labor Statistics adapted for regional growth patterns.
A cluster is a geographic concentration of interrelated industries or occupations. The industry cluster in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania with the highest relative concentration is Chemical with a location quotient of 2.61. This cluster employs 3,669 workers in the region with an average wage of $50,618. Employment in the Chemical cluster is projected to contract in the region about 2.2% per year over the next ten years.
Location quotient and average wage data are derived from the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, imputed where necessary, and updated through 2016Q1 with preliminary estimates updated to 2016Q3. Forecast employment growth uses national projections from the Bureau of Labor Statistics adapted for regional growth patterns.
Expected growth rates for occupations vary by the education and training required. While all employment in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania is projected to grow 0.1% over the next ten years, occupations typically requiring a postgraduate degree are expected to grow 1.0% per year, those requiring a bachelor’s degree are forecast to grow 0.3% per year, and occupations typically needing a 2-year degree or certificate are expected to grow 0.7% per year.
Employment by occupation data are estimates are as of 2016Q3. Education levels of occupations are based on BLS assignments. Forecast employment growth uses national projections from the Bureau of Labor Statistics adapted for regional growth patterns.
What is a location quotient?
A location quotient (LQ) is a measurement of concentration in comparison to the nation. An LQ of 1.00 indicates a region has the same concentration of an industry (or occupation) as the nation. An LQ of 2.00 would mean the region has twice the expected employment compared to the nation and an LQ of 0.50 would mean the region has half the expected employment in comparison to the nation.
What is replacement demand?
Replacement demand is the number of jobs required due to replacements—retirements and turnover resulting from workers moving from one occupation into another. Note that replacement demand does not include all turnover—it does not include when workers stay in the same occupation but switch employers. The replacement demand shown in this report may also be understated; thus, it can be taken to be a minimum measure of the number of workers who will need to be trained for the occupation due to replacements. The total projected demand for an occupation is the sum of the replacement demand and the growth demand (which is the increase or decrease of jobs in an occupation expected due to expansion or contraction of the overall number of jobs in that occupation).
What is a cluster?
A cluster is a geographic concentration of interrelated industries or occupations. If a regional cluster has a location quotient of 1.25 or greater, the region is considered to possess a competitive advantage in that cluster.
What is the difference between industry wages and occupation wages?
Industry wages and occupation wages are estimated via separate data sets, often the time periods being reported do not align, and wages are defined slightly differently in the two systems (for example, certain bonuses are included in the industry wages but not the occupation wages). It is therefore common that estimates of the average industry wages and average occupation wages in a region do not match exactly.
What is NAICS?
The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) is used to classify business establishments according to the type of economic activity. The NAICS Code comprises six levels, from the “all industry” level to the 6-digit level. The first two digits define the top level category, known as the “sector,” which is the level examined in this report.
What is SOC?
The Standard Occupational Classification system (SOC) is used to classify workers into occupational categories. All workers are classified into one of over 820 occupations according to their occupational definition. To facilitate classification, occupations are combined to form 23 major groups, 96 minor groups, and 449 occupation groups. Each occupation group includes detailed occupations requiring similar job duties, skills, education, or experience.
About This Report
This report and all data herein were produced by JobsEQ®, a product of Chmura Economics & Analytics. The information contained herein was obtained from sources we believe to be reliable. However, we cannot guarantee its accuracy and completeness.
Institute for Public Policy
& Economic Development
Scranton and Wilkes-Barre, PA locations