by In 2024, nearly 1,000 Pennsylvania state employees earned $200,000 or more, reflecting a sharp rise in high-income earners within state government — especially in higher education and healthcare roles.
The number of employees in this elite bracket grew 19% from the previous year, driven by executive salaries, physician overtime, and leadership turnover.
What Happened
Pennsylvania saw record-breaking public sector salaries in 2024.
The number of state employees making $200,000 or more surged to 981.
For the first time, two employees surpassed $600,000 in total compensation.
Key Details
- Since 2020, the number of $200K+ earners in Pennsylvania government has grown more than 500%.
- Most of the top earners came from higher education and healthcare roles.
- Christopher Fiorentino, former president of West Chester University and new chancellor of the State System of Higher Education, topped the list with $661,565.
- Dr. Michael Brogna, a long-serving physician at Danville State Hospital, followed with $630,974, driven largely by overtime and bonuses.
- A total of 25 state employees earned more than $400,000, up from 13 in 2023.
- Judges made up the largest job group earning over $200,000 — 476 in total — but most did not break the top 100.
Reactions or Statements
Dan Egan, spokesperson for the Pennsylvania Office of Administration, explained the steep salaries:
“Many employees with earnings at this level work in highly skilled and professional occupations that command higher compensation in the job market, such as physicians, nurses, psychiatrists, engineers, and information technology professionals.”
He also noted that the overall number of state jobs has remained stable over the last decade, reflecting national trends.
Investigation or What’s Next
Several elected officials, including the lieutenant governor and state treasurer, are expected to cross the $200,000 salary threshold in 2025 due to automatic raises.
State employees at Penn State, Pitt, Temple, and Lincoln universities were not included in the official list, as these institutions are not considered direct arms of state government. However, their athletic coaches remain the highest-paid employees by far.
For example:
| School | Top Earner | Reported Salary (Latest Year) |
|---|---|---|
| Penn State | James Franklin | $8.4 million (2023) |
| University of Pitt | Football Coach | $6.4 million (2023) |
| Temple University | Football Coach | $1.9 million (2022) |
| Lincoln University | President Brenda Allen | $300,000 (2021 |
FAQs
Q: How many Pennsylvania state employees earned $200K+ in 2024?
A: 981 employees — a 19% increase from 2023.
Q: Which agency had the most growth in high salaries?
A: The Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education, with 57 new $200K+ earners.
Q: Who was the highest-paid state employee?
A: Christopher Fiorentino, earning $661,565.
Q: Did Governor Josh Shapiro make the list?
A: Yes. He earned $228,073 in 2024, ranking 264th among state employees.
Q: Are salaries at Penn State or Pitt included?
A: No. These universities are state-affiliated but not part of the official state payroll list
Summary / Final Takeaway
Pennsylvania’s public payroll is seeing a notable surge in high earners, with almost 1% of all government employees now in the $200K Club. While most government jobs remain modestly paid, specialized roles in education and healthcare — particularly at leadership levels — continue to command increasingly high compensation, often outpacing inflation.
As salary growth continues, questions about public sector spending, transparency, and recruitment competitiveness are likely to remain at the forefront of state-level discussions.
