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Penn State Salary

Penn State Salary

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As of September 2026, the average annual salary for employees at Penn State in the United States is $95,807. This translates to an approximate hourly wage of $46. Salaries at Penn State typically range from $84,222 to $108,440 annually, reflecting the diverse roles and experience levels within the company.

How Much Does Penn State Pay for Different Roles?

Explore detailed salary information for specific jobs at Penn State. Based on our data, the highest paying job is the IT Support Specialist, with an annual salary of $115,078. The table below outlines the annual salary ranges for most popular roles within the company.
How accurate does the salary look to you?

Is Penn State’s Pay Competitive? Salary Benchmarking Analysis

How does Penn State's compensation stack up against the industry and its key competitors? Our salary benchmarking analysis provides a clear comparison. The chart below visualizes this comparison alongside select peer companies.
Competitor / Benchmark Avg. Salary Variance Primary Market Influence Factor & Explanation
Mizan Publishing $114,994
+20.0%
Supported by Mizan Publishing's high-margin contracts allowing higher overhead.
The Press Democrat $110,195
+15.0%
Data suggests The Press Democrat's workforce skews heavily towards veteran, high-tenure roles.
The Inquirer $112,368
+17.3%
Reflects a supply-demand imbalance for the specific talent The Inquirer targets.
IMPACTO Latin Newspaper Inc $109,414
+14.2%
Influenced by prevailing union wage agreements specific to IMPACTO Latin Newspaper Inc's sector.
Media Industry $125,523
+31.0%
Pay variances are driven by organizational scale, specialized skill requirements, or geographic cost-of-living factors.
Need More Granular Data? The analysis above provides a high-level market overview. To benchmark specific job codes, adjust for real-time cost-of-living changes, or access verified HR-reported datasets, upgrade to Salary.com for Business. Precision matters when building your compensation strategy.

How Penn State's Salaries Compare to Similar Companies?

Explore companies in the same industry to compare average salaries, benefits, and career opportunities with those at Penn State. Click a company name to learn more.

Employee Reviews: Working at Penn State

Considering a career at Penn State? Explore authentic employee reviews to learn about the work environment, career growth opportunities, pay transparency and benefits. These first-hand insights can help you set realistic compensation expectations and make informed career decisions.
Culture is professional but somewhat low-energy. The team knows how to celebrate success. Teams collaborate closely, encouraging creativity and innovation across projects. They provide clear direction while still empowering us to take ownership and lead our own projects. Management fosters a culture of mutual respect and constructive feedback.
Commented in February 09, 2025
32
1
Training sessions and conferences are encouraged to keep skills sharp. Benefits are competitive, featuring comprehensive health plans, wellness initiatives, and flexible work policies that prioritize work-life balance. The company encourages innovation, but execution sometimes lags. The company values creativity and initiative. Flexibility and support for work-life balance depend on department lea...
Commented in September 03, 2024
48
0
Leadership fosters an environment where innovative ideas are encouraged and valued. It's truly reassuring to work for an organization that prioritizes integrity in its media output. Collaborative, high-performing teams make every day exciting.
Commented in January 22, 2024
9
2

Penn State Overview

Website
www.research.psu.edu
Founded In
1855
Employees
200 - 500 employees
Industry
Media
Headquarter Address
304 Old Main University Park Pennsylvania PA 16802
Revenue
$10 Million - $50 Million
Phone Number
+1 8148651775
Social Media
About Penn State
The breadth and depth of our scientific expertise has made lasting impacts across our commonwealth, our nation and our world. The following pages present a few highlights of 2022 from the contributions of our interdisciplinary institutes, as well as our Applied Research Lab. Cumulatively, these highlights represent just a snapshot of the immense power and long-term contributions of the research en

What Benefits Does Penn State Offer Beyond Salary?

A competitive compensation package is more than just a salary. Penn State offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your health, financial future, and overall well-being. Below are the most common key benefits:
Social Security
401(K)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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What Is the Cost of Living Near State College?

Understanding the cost of living near State College is key to truly evaluating a salary offer or your current compensation at Penn State.
State College's Cost of Living Index is approximately 96.5 (3.5% less expensive than US average; 0.6% less than PA average). Home to Penn State Univ., housing costs higher due to university. CATA bus (free for PSU). When planning your budget based on a salary from Penn State, consider these typical monthly expenses:
Expense Category Estimated Monthly Cost Key Considerations / Notes
Housing (1-BR Apt Rent) $1,000 - $1,500+ A significant portion of Penn State salary. Location choices impact this heavily.
Utilities (Basic) $150 - $250 Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water etc.
Public Transportation Free for PSU (CATA) / Public varies Essential for most commuters; car ownership is costly.
Groceries (Single Person) $410 - $600 Can be higher with more dining out or specialty stores.
Personal & Leisure $360 - $680+ Dining out, entertainment, shopping. Highly variable.
Healthcare (Individual) $380 - $700+ Varies significantly by plan & employer contribution.
Subtotal (Excluding Taxes) $2,350 - $3,730+ This subtotal does not include income taxes (federal, state, local), which can significantly impact your take-home pay.

FAQs of Penn State

1. How much does a Penn State employee make?

Penn State pays its employees an average of $95,807 per year. The average salary at Penn State range from $84,222 to $108,440 per year. It's important to remember that these are overall averages, actual salaries vary significantly based on specific job titles, years of experience, skills, and location.

2. Which similar company tend to pay more or less than Penn State?

The salary at Penn State is lesser than the similar company. The average annual salary at Penn State is $95,807, or an hourly wage of $46, in comparison to Mizan Publishing which pays $114,994 per year or $55 per hour.

3. How much does an IT Support Specialist typically earn at Penn State?

An IT Support Specialist at Penn State typically earns an average annual base salary of around $115,078, with a general range of $105,076 to $124,898.

4. Do employees with advanced degrees (Master's, PhD) earn more at Penn State?

In many roles at Penn State, particularly those requiring specialized knowledge or research capabilities (e.g., certain engineering, scientific, or financial roles), an advanced degree like a Master's or PhD can lead to a higher starting salary and faster career progression, thus higher earnings. However, for some roles, direct experience and skills might be valued as much or more than an advanced degree. The impact varies by field and specific job requirements.

5. How does the cost of living near State College affect the perceived value of a Penn State salary?

State College's Cost of Living Index is approximately 96.5 (3.5% less expensive than US average; 0.6% less than PA average). This significantly impacts the purchasing power of a salary from Penn State based there. Our "Cost of Living Insights for State College" module details this impact, helping you assess the 'real feel' value of your compensation.

6. What kind of benefits does Penn State typically offer employees?

Penn State generally offers a range of employee benefits designed to support their workforce's health, financial well-being, and work-life balance. Comprehensive health insurance (medical, dental, vision), a 401(k) retirement savings plan (often with a company match), paid time off (PTO), and potentially disability and life insurance are included. For a more detailed list of benefits, please see our "Employee Benefits at Penn State" section on this page.

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