By Bill OBoyle [email protected]
By Bill OBoyle [email protected]
Avery-Stoss
WILKES-BARRE — The Institute’s annual Indicators report contains an overview of technology and innovation in Northeastern Pennsylvania.
It includes data regarding science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) occupations; academic research; clinical trials; venture capital investment; and federal research grants.
This information highlights the region’s potential for economic growth, resilience, and improved quality of life through technological development.
Innovation is often difficult to measure directly, however.
The report notes that some datasets are limited, and many innovations occur without being formally tracked.
According to The Institute’s President & CEO, Jill Avery-Stoss, the region continues to see modest growth in STEM-related employment across architecture and engineering; life, physical, and social sciences; and computer and mathematical occupations, totaling 9,170 professionals in 2025.
“These roles not only offer livable wages but also support NEPA’s ability to adapt to automation as well as the constantly changing tech demands in top sectors like manufacturing and healthcare,” Avery-Stoss said.
In 2025, 1,698 STEM-related job postings were advertised across Lackawanna, Luzerne, Wayne, and Wyoming counties. Avery-Stoss said most STEM-related job postings pertained to manufacturing, followed by scientific and technical services, and administrative, support, waste management, and remediation services.
Avery-Stoss said higher education also plays a key role in innovation. In 2024, 11 regional academic institutions and three satellite campuses spent nearly $6 million on research – an increase from the previous year — and also added research staff.
Federal research funding programs such as the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) are vital to supporting small business innovation. In Pennsylvania, Avery-Stoss said SBIR awards have declined for three years in a row, and STTR awards decreased by about half, to $12.5 million.
The National Science Foundation (NSF) also provides critical support for research and innovation. In 2025, the region received $1.8 million in NSF funding, which is a decrease of almost 50% from the previous year. State-level NSF funding also saw a small decrease overall.
“Clinical trials are another means of assessing regional innovation in healthcare,” added Avery-Stoss. “They offer opportunities for job creation, new treatment discoveries, and enhanced medical care.”
As of 2026, there are 139 active clinical trial sites in the region — a significant increase from the previous year — with most located in Lackawanna and Luzerne counties.
“The technology and innovation sectors in Northeastern Pennsylvania continue to gradually expand,” Avery-Stoss said. “Although there are fluctuations in investment and research activity, consistent efforts in STEM workforce development, academic research, and entrepreneurial support signal a region committed to innovation.”
Reach Bill O’Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.
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