Oil And Gas Bringing People And Jobs To The Region

Thanks in large part to the oil and gas industry, western Pennsylvania is experiencing a boom in job growth which is bringing young and talented individuals to the region.  According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Pennsylvania’s oil and natural gas industry employment between 2007 and 2012 increased by 259.3% – accounting for almost 245,000 jobs in Pennsylvania.  Of the new hires working in the industry, 96% are from Pennsylvania or an adjacent state.  The Young Adults report from PittsburghTODAY notes that roughly 70% of the people moving to Pittsburgh from larger cities are under the age of 35.  According to the Department of Labor and Industry, the average wage in the shale industry is nearly $90,000 – almost $41,000 greater than most other industries.  A 2014 PNC Financial Services report states that this economic growth can continue to increase in the coming decades.