As population shifts, Pittsburgh region doubles down on workforce development
Writer: Melis Turku Topa
June 2025 — As Southwestern Pennsylvania shifts toward becoming a modern hub for healthcare, education, and technology, population growth will need to keep up. While the city of Pittsburgh has experienced modest population growth in recent years, the metro area is still trending in the opposite direction, adding pressure to build and sustain a robust workforce.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the Pittsburgh metro area’s population fell from 2,456,998 in 2020 to 2,429,917 in 2024, marking a loss of more than 27,000 residents in five years.
“Our greatest challenge, like many rural communities, is workforce sustainability — driven largely by population loss,” Muriel Nuttall, executive director of the Fayette Chamber of Commerce, told Invest:.
Fayette County, southeast of Pittsburgh, saw its population fall 7.8% between 2010 and 2022, with Nuttall attributing the shift to natural attrition and opportunities to live, learn, and work in the area.
“While some residents leave for job opportunities elsewhere, much of the decline stems from natural attrition within an aging population. Addressing this shift requires more than just job creation; it means tackling the core barriers that keep younger individuals and families from staying or relocating here, chief among them: access to quality housing and education,” Nuttall stated.
However, efforts have been made to put more investment in the county. In March, the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) announced new funding for 25 projects across Fayette focused on community improvement, economic development, and neighborhood revitalization.
For other parts of the region, population growth has shown more positive signs. Between 2020 and 2024, Butler County’s population increased by approximately 5,272 people. Jordan Grady, executive director of the Butler County Chamber of Commerce, cited the county’s competitive tax values, creating favorable outcomes for businesses and residents. “We’ve seen a mass influx of residents from Allegheny County to Butler County. The population increase has stabilized our workforce with many people who are willing to work, making Butler County an attractive place for companies to invest and grow,” said Grady.
Despite broader population shifts, Pittsburgh has built a workforce that is increasingly attractive to businesses across the country. Major institutions like Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Pittsburgh feed a pipeline of highly skilled graduates into industries ranging from robotics and AI to biotech and advanced manufacturing. This talent pool, combined with the city’s affordability and high quality of life, has drawn major employers like Google and Apple.
Yet there remains a critical gap in the talent pipeline — one that could hold back the growth of local companies.
“I think the entrepreneurial management gap is something that we would like to fill, as companies can only absorb so many fresh graduates,” Donald Smith, president of the Regional Industrial Development Corporation (RIDC), told Invest:. “We need some more of those three to seven years of experienced workers who can drive companies forward.”
Local institutions are also cultivating talent with a strong sense of mission and community alignment. Jane Werner, executive director of the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh, highlighted the importance of strong leadership. “The region’s population loss has made hiring a bit more challenging, but we’ve been fortunate. Some of our leadership has been with us for a decade or more, and that continuity helps preserve our culture,” Werner told Invest:.
This dedication to finding mission-aligned individuals reflects a broader trend: organizations in Pittsburgh aren’t just looking to fill jobs — they’re seeking people who will help shape the region’s future.
In response to these workforce challenges, Pittsburgh is taking proactive steps such as The Pittsburgh Workforce Development Hub and initiatives led by Sustainable Pittsburgh and the Green Building Alliance to create pathways for underserved communities to access quality training and careers, particularly in clean energy and emerging technologies.
These efforts aim not just to fill today’s jobs, but to prepare the region for the economy of tomorrow — one that is green, inclusive, and resilient. Public-private partnerships are key to this progress, helping to align employer needs with education and training pipelines.
Sustainable growth in Pittsburgh won’t come from population booms, but from investing in the people who are already there and creating a city that more people want to call home.
For more information, please visit:
https://www.fayettechamber.org/
https://www.butlercountychamber.com/
https://engage.pittsburghpa.gov/pittsburgh-workforce-development-hub
