INDICATORS 2026: Industry Spotlight -- Accommodation and food services
Mar. 14—WILKES-BARRE — The Accommodation and Food Services sector is a major component of the economy across Northeast Pennsylvania, as well as across the nation.
The Institute — a regional data analysis and research organization — monitors the region's economy and workforce data and provides regular reporting on NEPA's major industries.
"The accommodation and food services sector in Northeast Pennsylvania rounds out the top five largest industries in Northeast Pennsylvania," notes Jill Avery-Stoss, president and CEO of The Institute. "The service industry in our region is facing the same challenges that the entire nation is seeing, such as challenges with worker supply and wage competitiveness."
More than 22,000 workers are employed in the accommodation and food services sector across Lackawanna, Luzerne, Wayne, and Wyoming counties. That number is slightly below the expected national average for a region of similar size, which would typically see almost 25,000 workers.
The industry saw a robust 25% employment increase in the years since the onset of COVID, but growth is projected to slow between 2025 and 2030. Earnings remain comparatively low compared to national benchmarks ($26,640 annually per job). Retirement risk is in line with national trends — roughly 3,800 workers are aged 55 or older.
"Food preparation and serving roles dominate the industry, making up 77% of all jobs," says Avery-Stoss. "Management, cleaning, administrative support, and sales roles are also in-demand in our region. The unemployment rate within the industry has fluctuated across the past five years, reflecting the broader volatility experienced in the service economy as the region recovered from the economic effects of the pandemic."
On the hiring front, Avery-Stoss said the number of job postings has been lower than the national average, with 186 monthly job postings compared to an expected 289. Over the past year, she said the region saw 2,227 unique job postings. Popular job titles include customer service representatives, assistant managers, team members, and delivery drivers.
Avery-Stoss said the skills most sought by employers remained consistent throughout the last two years, with heavy emphasis on restaurant operations, sanitation and food safety, cash handling, food preparation, and basic physical abilities such as lifting. Housekeeping, restaurant management, auditing, and food quality assurance also emerged as important skills.
The sector generated a combined Gross Regional Product exceeding $1.1 billion in 2025 — including $675 million in earnings and $177 million contributed in taxes.
"Overall, the accommodation and food services industry remains an important part of the economy in Northeast Pennsylvania," Avery-Stoss said.
Reach Bill O'Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.
