Cumberland Valley thrives from more than 6,000 businesses that employ approximately 133,000 people. An average travel time to work of 22.1 minutes (U.S. Census) means shorter commute times and lower monthly gas expenses.
According to the PA Center for Workforce Information & Analysis, in August 2025, Cumberland Valley's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 3.2%, compared with a statewide rate of 4.0%, making it the fourth-lowest in the state. This positive employment climate is partly due to major employers such as the state and federal governments, healthcare, primary/secondary/higher education, retail, transportation, and warehousing that are located in, and in many cases headquartered in, Cumberland Valley.
At the end of Q1 2025, the top 50 employers in Cumberland Valley included businesses such as Amazon, Giant Foods, the state and federal governments, Walmart, Exel, UPMC Pinnacle, Carlisle Construction Materials, Gannett Fleming, and Holy Spirit Hospital.
Veterans
In the heart of Cumberland Valley, Carlisle Barracks, established in 1757, is the second-oldest Army post in the United States. It is now home to the prestigious U.S. Army War College. The number of veterans who make Cumberland Valley home reflects this rich heritage. According to the PA Center for Workforce Information & Analysis, in 2023 (U.S. Census 5-Year Estimate Data), almost 18,000 veterans live in Cumberland Valley. Their average median income is $60,436, and their unemployment rate is 2.5%.
From 2020 to 2022, the GDP of Cumberland County increased by 7.5%, from $16.1B to $17.3B.
2022 Median Household Income was $82,849, 11.1% above the national median
2022 Labor Force was 135,100
2010 to 2020 Population Change: 10.22%
At the end of Q1 2025, the PA Center for Workforce Information & Analysis reported the following average annual wages across all occupations in Cumberland Valley:
Average annual wage: $67,596
Entry annual wage: $31,380
Click here to see additional wage information broken out by occupational title.
