44. Pennsylvania

The Keystone State excels in education, technology and innovation. But costs are high and its workforce is heavily unionized.

Category
Score
2014 Rank
2013 Rank
Cost of Doing Business 136 42 44
Workforce 94 48 44
Quality of Life 117 35 (Tie) 33
Infrastructure & Transportation 152 37 33
Economy 179 37 29
Education 108 6 6
Technology & Innovation 234 8 5
Business Friendliness 61 39 (Tie) 41
Cost of Living 16 35 33
Access to Capital 17 17 (Tie) 5
Overall 1114 44 39

Economic Profile

Governor: Tom Corbett, Republican

Population: 12,773,801

GDP growth: 0.7 percent

Unemployment rate (May 2014): 5.7 percent

Top corporate tax rate: 9.9 percent

Top individual income tax rate: 3.07 percent

Gasoline tax: 60 cents/gallon

Bond rating/outlook: Aa2/stable

Major private employer: Wal-Mart

Economic profile sources: Federation of Tax Administrators, American Petroleum Institute, Moody's Investor Service, Bureau of Economic Analysis, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Pennsylvania Dept. of Labor and Industry

Top States for Business

From the Governors

Latest Special Reports

  • CNBC Changemakers

    CNBC Changemakers: Women Transforming Business is an annual list spotlighting women whose accomplishments have left an indelible mark on the business world.

  • Unlock the keys to building a successful long-term financial plan: manage your money, grow your money, and protect it.

  • More than ever, the hope for a sustainable world has gained traction among the next generation of businesses, policymakers and investors. CNBC’s Sustainable Future focuses on how smart investments, new ideas and tech innovation can generate commerce — and a world — with staying power.