Philadelphia averages 37.3 applicants per job across 13,767 open positions from 2,501 employers.
Software Engineer leads with 65 applicants per job—2.6× higher than the least competitive roles
Philadelphia's most competitive positions are concentrated in technology roles. Our analysis of 13,767 LinkedIn job postings shows Software Engineer as the hardest role to land, with 65 applicants competing for each of just 108 openings. That's 2.6× more competitive than Shift Manager roles and 74% above Philadelphia's average of 37.3 applicants per job.
Hardest to land — polish your resume
619+ openings across healthcare roles with just 25-26 applicants per job
Better odds — still need a great resume
Healthcare roles dominate Philadelphia's least competitive job categories. Shift Manager positions have just 25 applicants per opening across 157 available jobs—2.6× easier to land than Software Engineer roles and 33% below Philadelphia's average competition of 37.3 applicants.
Nurse leads with 550 openings at 26 applicants per job | Software Engineer is hardest to land at 65 applicants | Shift Manager easiest at 25
Our analysis of 13,767 LinkedIn job postings reveals significant variation in competition across Philadelphia's 32 major job categories. Nurse offers the most opportunity with 550 open positions, but faces 26 applicants per role. Meanwhile, Software Engineer is the hardest role to land in Philadelphia with 65 applicants competing for just 108 openings.
Of all 32 job titles analyzed, 0 roles are highly competitive (70+ applicants) accounting for 0 jobs, while 20 roles have below-average competition (under 40 applicants) with 2,955 combined openings. The competition gap in Philadelphia is stark: Software Engineer averages 65 applicants while Shift Manager sees just 25—a 2.6× difference.
Jefferson Health leads with 565 jobs (4.1% of market) | Affirm hardest at 85 applicants | Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) easiest at 25
Jefferson Health dominates Philadelphia's job market with 565 open positions—4.1% of all jobs in the metro area—at 31 applicants per role. Deloitte follows with 391 positions at 29 applicants each. The top 10 employers alone account for 2,603 jobs—19% of Philadelphia's market.
Competition varies dramatically by employer. Affirm is the hardest place to get hired in Philadelphia with 85 applicants per job, while Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) offers better odds at just 25 applicants. Of 21 major employers analyzed, 1 have high competition (70+ applicants) and 15 have below-average competition (under 40 applicants).
Browse 8 industries hiring across the Philadelphia metro area
Data compiled by ResumeTarget.com from 13,767 LinkedIn job postings in the Philadelphia metro area. Updated Dec 2, 2025.
Jefferson Health, Temple Health – Temple University Health System, and 8 other employers with 2,253 open positions
The Healthcare sector in Philadelphia currently has 2,253 open positions across 10 employers in Philadelphia. With an average of 31 applicants per job, this industry is less competitive compared to Philadelphia's overall market average of 37.3.
Comcast, Jacobs, and 8 other employers with 1,214 open positions
The Technology sector in Philadelphia currently has 1,214 open positions across 10 employers in Philadelphia. With an average of 45 applicants per job, this industry is moderately competitive compared to Philadelphia's overall market average of 37.3.
Deloitte, PwC, and 6 other employers with 913 open positions
The Accounting sector in Philadelphia currently has 913 open positions across 8 employers in Philadelphia. With an average of 29 applicants per job, this industry is less competitive compared to Philadelphia's overall market average of 37.3.
KPMG US, Affirm, and 8 other employers with 775 open positions
The Banking & Finance sector in Philadelphia currently has 775 open positions across 10 employers in Philadelphia, Conshohocken. With an average of 49 applicants per job, this industry is moderately competitive compared to Philadelphia's overall market average of 37.3.
Aramark, Flynn Group, and 8 other employers with 747 open positions
The Hospitality sector in Philadelphia currently has 747 open positions across 10 employers in Philadelphia. With an average of 35 applicants per job, this industry is less competitive compared to Philadelphia's overall market average of 37.3.
EY, Alvarez & Marsal, and 8 other employers with 707 open positions
The Consulting sector in Philadelphia currently has 707 open positions across 10 employers in Philadelphia. With an average of 38 applicants per job, this industry is less competitive compared to Philadelphia's overall market average of 37.3.
Dollar Tree Stores, URBN (Urban Outfitters, Anthropologie Group, Free People & Nuuly), and 8 other employers with 602 open positions
The Retail sector in Philadelphia currently has 602 open positions across 10 employers in Philadelphia. With an average of 46 applicants per job, this industry is moderately competitive compared to Philadelphia's overall market average of 37.3.
University of Pennsylvania, Temple University, and 8 other employers with 551 open positions
The Education sector in Philadelphia currently has 551 open positions across 10 employers in Philadelphia. With an average of 35 applicants per job, this industry is less competitive compared to Philadelphia's overall market average of 37.3.
Health Care Provider leads with 2,085 jobs (15% of market) at 27 applicants | Health Care Provider easiest to break into at 27 applicants
Health Care Provider dominates Philadelphia's job market with 2,085 open positions—15% of all jobs—at 27 applicants per role. Management and Manufacturing follows with 1,643 positions at 32 applicants each. The top 3 functions account for 5,082 jobs—37% of Philadelphia's entire job market.
Competition varies significantly by function. Human Resources is the most competitive category in Philadelphia with 61 applicants per job, while Health Care Provider offers the best odds at just 27 applicants—a 34-applicant difference. Of 24 functions analyzed, 0 are highly competitive (70+ applicants) and 12 have below-average competition (under 40 applicants).
How does Philadelphia's job competition compare to Mid-Atlantic rivals?
Head-to-head job market comparison
Philadelphia has 40% less competition overall than New York City. Philadelphia wins on most role comparisons.
See full New York City job market data →Ranked by competition level (lower = easier)
Philadelphia ranks #1 of 4 for easiest job market in Mid-Atlantic. The best market for job seekers in this region.
Competition changes from other cities
Competition data based on 13,767 active job postings in Philadelphia.
Philadelphia averages 37.3 applicants per job across 13,767 open positions. Software Engineer is hardest at 65 applicants; Shift Manager is easiest at 25.
Software Engineer (65 applicants per job). These roles see 2.6× more competition than healthcare positions.
Shift Manager (25 applicants per job, 157 openings), Assistant Manager (25), and Crew Member (25).
Jefferson Health leads with 565 jobs, followed by Deloitte (391) and PwC (298). 2,501 companies are actively hiring.
13,767 open positions across 2,501 employers. Data from LinkedIn, updated Dec 2, 2025.
Healthcare (2,253 jobs), Technology (1,214), and Accounting (913).
ResumeTarget.com compiled and analyzed 13,767 full-time job postings from LinkedIn across the Philadelphia-metro area to calculate competition levels by job title, industry, employer, and job function.
Competition is measured by the average number of applicants per job posting. Roles with 70+ applicants are classified as highly competitive, 40-69 as moderately competitive, and under 40 as less competitive.
With 37.3 applicants per job, you need a resume that immediately proves you're the top candidate. Our writers conduct 1-on-1 interviews to uncover your unique achievements and create ATS-optimized resumes that get noticed.
