Sep 16, 2025 - Business
Inflation takes a big bite out of Philadelphia's wage growth
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Wages are rising in the Philadelphia region but barely high enough to keep up with inflation.
Why it matters: Every penny counts.
By the numbers: Average weekly pay rose 3.1% in Philly proper between the first quarters of 2024 and 2025, per new federal data.
- Burlington County, New Jersey, saw the highest wage gains in the region during that period (4.3%), followed by Gloucester, New Jersey, (3.6%) and New Castle, Delaware (3.6%).
Yes, but: Inflation rose about 2.7% during the period, taking a bite out of those gains.
How it works: That's per the Bureau of Labor Statistics, which released data for the country's 372 largest counties.
Zoom out: Nationally, average weekly wages rose 4.1% to $1,589.
- Most wage growth: Benton County, Arkansas, at 14.6%. The county is home to Walmart and transportation giant J.B. Hunt.
- Biggest wage decline: Westchester County, New York, at -2.1%.
Reality check: Looking at wage growth for all residents tells only part of the story.
- Broadly speaking, men's wages rose last year while women's pay stagnated, Axios' Emily Peck reported — "a worrying sign that the slow march toward pay equity for women is stumbling."