The Business of Chemistry in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania Statistics[1]

Direct Chemical Manufacturing Employment:           59,845

Total Pennsylvania Jobs Supported by Chemical Manufacturing:                                                           219,882

Average Yearly Wage of Employee:                           $72,231

Chemical Manufacturing Facilities:                            616     

Chemical Production Value:                                       $29.4 billion

Pennsylvania Chemical Foreign Exports:                    $3.2 billion

Decline in Core TRI Emissions since 1988:                 -79%

The business of chemistry in Pennsylvania is one of the most significant employers in the Commonwealth.  According to 2004 statistics, 59,845 Pennsylvanians were employed in 616 Pennsylvania chemical manufacturing facilities.  This represents 8.3% of the state manufacturing workforce and 1.1% of the entire state workforce.

Pennsylvania is home to the fifth largest number of chemical industry employees in the nation, behind California, Texas, New Jersey and New York.

Chemical manufacturing jobs in Pennsylvania are not only strong, but the average wage of $72,231 is a family-sustaining wage.  When compared to all industries in Pennsylvania, chemical manufacturing wages are over twice the state average of $35,780.

In addition to employing nearly 60,000 Pennsylvanians in an innovative and knowledge-based industry, chemical manufacturing is directly responsible for the employment of nearly four times as many people.  Manufacturers of everyday items, such as paint, cell phones or medicines are dependent on chemical products for their raw materials.  Besides manufacturing, some of the major employers that are directly affected by chemical manufacturing include trade, transportation and agriculture. 

Pennsylvania chemical manufacturers have made great strides in improving environmental performance.  Since Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) numbers began to be recorded by EPA in 1988, Pennsylvania chemical manufacturers have reduced their TRI emissions by 79%.  This reduction has been accomplished by investing capital in the latest technology and devising cleaner and safer processes. 

Chemical manufacturers are responsible for more than the life-saving and life-enhancing products that we use everyday.  Chemical manufacturing is a stable, steady employer that provides opportunities for hundreds of thousands of Pennsylvania’s residents.

Data reflect the latest available.  Updated as of 12/18/2007.