Salary comparison
Packers and Packagers, Hand: Philadelphia vs San Jose
Philadelphia, PA pays about 3.7% more for packers and packagers, hand on paper — $43,970 vs $42,410. But once you factor in what it costs to live there, Philadelphia comes out ahead by $1,560 a year in real buying power.
Philadelphia, PA
$43,970
$36,250
$44,740
$21.14
100
$43,970/yr
Median adjusted for local cost of living.
San Jose, CA
$42,410
$37,340
$46,710
$20.39
100
$42,410/yr
Median adjusted for local cost of living.
What the numbers mean in practice
The headline gap is $1,560 a year (3.7%) in favor of Philadelphia. That is the raw salary difference before any living costs.
Philadelphia runs a cost index of 100 against the national baseline of 100; San Jose sits at 100. After adjusting the median for those costs, Philadelphia is the better deal by $1,560 a year — that is what each paycheck actually buys locally.
If you are weighing a move from San Jose to Philadelphia for this role, the raise needs to beat 3.7% to come out ahead after living costs. Anything below that and you are earning more on paper but keeping less.
Common questions
Where do packers and packagers, hand earn more, Philadelphia or San Jose?
Philadelphia pays $43,970 on median — about 3.7% more than San Jose ($42,410). Based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Which city is the better deal after living costs?
Philadelphia. Once you divide each median by the local cost index, Philadelphia gives you roughly$43,970 of real buying power versus $42,410 in the other city.