Expats working in Philadelphia will find themselves in the economic centre of Pennsylvania and one of the top 10 largest metropolitan economies in the USA. Competition for jobs is high in Philadelphia, and while not impossible, finding employment can be difficult. Despite this, those who can secure work will be glad to know that salaries in Philadelphia are slightly higher than the national average.
Job market in Philadelphia
Major industries in Philadelphia include education, healthcare, technology, finance, and tourism. The city is also home to several Fortune 500 companies, including Comcast, Crown Holdings, and Aramark.
The best performing sectors in the city are medicine and education, accounting for almost a third of the jobs in Philadelphia, with a large percentage of private employers coming from those industries. The University of Pennsylvania is the region’s largest employer, with the School District of Philadelphia not far behind. American Airlines and Allied Barton Security Services also employ significant numbers of workers.
Those working in tech, insurance, and healthcare benefit from salaries well above the national average. Combined with Philadelphia's moderate cost of living (compared to other cities on the East Coast), you'll likely live comfortably or even luxuriously if you're employed in the above sectors.
Finding a job in Philadelphia
Expats looking for work in Philadelphia and who have the necessary qualifications would do well to look for jobs in the city's thriving healthcare industry or education sector.
Online job portals, like LinkedIn, Indeed, and the City of Philadelphia's job board, as well as recruitment agencies, are great options when looking for a job. Networking and making connections both online and in person can also go a long way toward securing work. As is the case when seeking employment elsewhere in the USA, foreign nationals require a visa to work in Philadelphia.
Useful links
Work culture in Philadelphia
Like many cities along the East Coast, Philadelphia is known for its long working hours. This culture often leads to a 'work hard, play hard' mindset, where employees balance demanding work by making the most of their free time.
That said, a good work culture is important to professionals in Philadelphia. This includes perks like work flexibility and benefits such as health insurance, paid leave, and paternal leave. A comfortable work environment is also important to many workers in Philadelphia. Due to this, companies are forced to adapt to keep their employees, meaning a lot of companies in Philadelphia have a great work culture and low turnover rates.
As with the rest of the US, business in Philadelphia is also less formal and hierarchical than in many other destinations. The approach to business dress and communication is generally rather relaxed, although this does vary by company.