Work and Live in the Burgh: The Top Employers and Where to Find Your Perfect Pittsburgh Apartment

While your mind probably automatically drifts to the steel mills when you hear Pittsburgh, long gone are the days when the city was the leading steel producer in the country — and at one time, the world. However, the Burgh has taken on a new role in the 21st century as a mecca for top medical facilities and financial services.

Let me, Christine DiMaria, a local expert city guide from Apartmenthomeliving.com, share with you the top employers in Pittsburgh, PA, and where to snag an apartment nearby if you land one (or want to).

University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC)

UPMC is the number one employer in the Pittsburgh area. And if you're in the health field or have any skills that could contribute to their operations, you may want to hit the job boards and see what they have available.

A Little About the Employer

You'll see the UPMC name on so many medical facilities in the Pittsburgh area and surrounding regions, so it's not shocking that over 92,000 people work (yes, you read that right) for the company throughout Pennsylvania, many of whom are at Pittsburgh facilities like UPMC Presbyterian, UPMC Shadyside, Magee-Women's Hospital, Mercy, and Montefiore. There's also the Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Western Psych., and the Hillman Cancer Center.

The employer has both inpatient and outpatient care centers outside the city, such as the UPMC Outpatient Center on Clairton Blvd. in McKeesport and UPMC East in Monroeville.

UPMC medical centers offer a wide range of employment opportunities beyond roles for doctors, nurses, and certified nursing assistants, including:

• Healthcare administrators
• Dietary and housekeeping staff
• Social workers
• Medical billing specialists
• Pharmacists
• Human resource managers
• IT professionals

I had to interject my personal experience with these facilities. Although I've hung up my scrubs and exchanged them for a laptop, I would 100% work in one of these buildings if I ever were to change my mind. I recently found myself taking my son for stitches at one of the UPMC hospitals, and everyone was nothing but nice. While I was only on the outside looking in, it seemed like a positive workplace with everyone working together. I also have family who worked at another UPMC facility — retiring after decades of dedicated service with little complaint.

Where to Live Near UPMC Facilities

Despite facilities being spread out throughout the Burgh and surrounding areas, your best bet is to live in one of the following neighborhoods:

Shadyside

I know this isn't a numbered list, but if I had to choose a number one, a head honcho of locations for Pittsburgh apartments near UPMC, Shadyside would be the one. It has everything you could ask for in a neighborhood — tree-lined streets, high-end boutiques, upscale coffeehouses, and a range of eateries to stimulate every taste bud.

Let's talk walkability... Shadyside is bar none in this arena. The bus lines take you nearly anywhere you want to go in Oakland and even Downtown, and there are stores readily available within walking distance.

And do yourself a favor, whether you walk, ride a bike, take the bus, or travel via automobile — try Pasha Cafe Lounge. The ambiance is completely homey, perhaps because it is a home turned into a restaurant, with delicious Mediterranean and Turkish dishes.

Keep Mellon Park in mind at the end of those stressful days at work. Calming doesn't begin to describe the vibe of this park. Picture this: you're surrounded by nature, garden walkways, and architectural elegance from every angle.

Fortunately, Shadyside is near a number of the aforementioned UPMC facilities, such as Shadyside Hospital and Presby (what all the Pittsburghers call it because we just don't have the time to say Presbyterian).

Friendship

The name says it all! Friendship is just as serene as its name suggests. Besides the strong sense of community, though, this neighborhood is one of the best neighborhoods for those who work at any of the hospitals in Oakland or the outskirts of McKeesport or Monroeville.

You can get all your daily recommended exercise here by walking to get your groceries and everything else you need.

I'm not the biggest jazz and folk music fan, but everyone I've talked to said the Friendship Flower & Folk Festival's food and atmosphere are worth the trip.

By the way, quaint can describe nearly every business, like the local cafes, in this area.

Oakland

If you want to feel Pittsburgh's pulse, you'll see it's alive and well in Oakland — a vibrant hub for all things innovative and creative. This area is divided into subsections, each one with a distinctive charm, from North Oakland with its tranquil, laid-back vibe to Central with its high energy to West Oakland, which is stuck amid a major transition from a historical industrial district to a cultural center.

No matter which division you choose, you'll be near a range of amenities, including shopping and dining. Plus, with public transit readily available and everything within walking distance, you can leave your car at home most of the time — or not purchase one at all, if you haven't already.

Oakland also isn't short on activities to keep you entertained on your days off, such as the following:

• Carnegie Museum of Natural History
• Carnegie Museum of Art
• Schenley Park
• Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens

My personal favorites are Schenley Park and the Natural History Museum. There's so much to do there that you'll find yourself returning all year long when you're that close, and the history museum's exhibits are interesting and always changing. A pass is definitely worth it. And if you're a parent of a teen, look into the Carnegie pass that gives children between the ages of 13 and 18 free access to various sites throughout the Burgh.

PNC Financial Services Group

Despite being a national bank nowadays, did you know PNC originally started in Pittsburgh? The "P" actually stands for Pittsburgh. Who knew? I know I didn't until I started writing for this site (lol).

A Little About the Employer

The corporate office of PNC is downtown on Fifth St. and is part of Pittsburgh's iconic skyline. I recommend seeing it at night when this 33-story building is lit up.

And positions include everything from tellers to branch managers to investment specialists to financial advisors.

If working downtown isn't your cup of tea, that's no problem — PNC has over 30 branches in the Pittsburgh area and way more outside the city limits in places like Lawrenceville, Bethel Park, and Mt. Lebanon.

Where to Live Near PNC Facilities

Working at the corporate office? You'll want to search for Pittsburgh apartments near PNC that are conveniently located close to work but also have all the amenities you'll need. Not to mention, you want to enjoy life outside PNC's walls, so having entertainment nearby is basically a must. With that said, these neighborhoods stick out.

Downtown

They say not to bring your work home with you, but they never said anything about making your home close to where you work. If you're at PNC's main building, Downtown is convenient, especially with all the options for public transportation and the high walkability of this part of the city. In fact, the light rail has stops on 5th Avenue, and so does the bus.

Plus, if you believe everything gets hotter when the sun goes down, Downtown is for you — with destinations like Cavo, Tequila Cowboy, and Belvedere's Ultra-Dive. I don't party, but if it's your thing, the reviews on these look positive.

However, if a vibrant nightlife doesn't excite you, this part of the city still has much to offer, such as the Gateway Clipper (a boat ride down one of the Three Rivers), the Point (where the Allegheny and Monongahela Rivers meet), Market Square, and PPG Paints Arena (where the Pens face off and concerts are held regularly).

Even if you don't work downtown, you may still want to consider living there.

Southside Flats

Southside Flats is spirited, to say the least, with its wild nightlife. But the strong sense of community here balances that ferocity. The beautiful architecture and amenities within walking distance also make this a top choice. It offers a mix of modern apartments and historic homes, making it a perfect blend of old and new.

Personally, I recommend this part of the city for younger people because of its party and entertainment scene.

Though it's walkable for bars, clubs, and dining, it doesn't have a lot of options for grocery shopping. You could, however, take the bus if you're trying to live a green life.

Just minutes from Downtown Pittsburgh, Southside Flats has easy access to public transit and major highways, so commuting is straightforward.

Central Northside

Locals sometimes call this section of town Mexican War Streets (with streets named for battles and generals of the Mexican-American War), but don't let the name scare you. It's actually the Central North Side — a peaceful area filled with friendly faces. It's the ideal place to live if you want to be near the action, not in it.

It's a historic area with restored row houses and classic architecture. It's walkable for daily needs, and it's within walking distance to the Andy Warhol Museum and the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh.

U.S. Steel

While U.S. Steel isn't necessarily the third biggest employer in the Pittsburgh area, I wanted to mix it up rather than adding more financial institutions or health facilities. And despite the city not being known for its steel production anymore, U.S. Steel still remains active, just not as much so, and has over 22,000 employees in Pittsburgh and the surrounding areas.

A Little About the Employer

U.S. Steel has a long history in the city. Initially, the company belonged to tycoon Andrew Carnegie and was Carnegie Steel Company. J.P. Morgan, however, bought it for $480 million in 1901. Just imagine how much that really was back then — quite a sum for the times. Nippon Steel Corporation acquired it in June of 2025, though.

You don't have to actually work with the steel if you have other talents or skills because steelmakers and technicians are only some of the positions needed for this company to function. Other roles include:

• Maintenance workers
• Quality control
• Material scientists
• Data analysts
• Finance staff

I even received a job offer from the company once for their marketing department. So you know, it was an on-site position — something that wasn't for me. But who's to say that they won't offer it again, and it could be for you?

Where to Live Near U.S. Steel Buildings

Looking for Pittsburgh apartments near U.S. Steel? The tall skyscraper of a building makes the Pittsburgh skyline Downtown, but that's not the only area to consider if you can score a job here.

Swisshelm Park

If you're searching for affordable Pittsburgh apartments near U.S. Steel's main location, I couldn't recommend Swisshelm Park more. On average, it's much less expensive than any of the other ones on this list.

I'd recommend owning a car if you live here. While this area is technically walkable and has some public transit, you'll make your life easier by having a vehicle.

Anyone who makes this their home will benefit from the quiet, green spaces, and close-knit community away from the commotion of Downtown. I have to say, you should make Frick Park your regular hangout. It's not far from Swisshelm and has plenty of hiking, sports areas, and even horseback riding.

Aspinwall

Aspinwall is a town outside of Downtown, but it's a quick drive to get there. Like many of the areas in Pittsburgh, Aspinwall is walkable. Located just eight miles from Downtown, Aspinwall is a quaint town with historic architecture. With the blend of old and new, you don't have to choose between traditional and modern — you can have it all.

I haven't been, but I've been dying to go to Bayernhof Museum to see the antique music machines and all the other unique items. If you have a chance to go, go.

West Mifflin

Let's say you're not into living in the East Liberty neighborhood or any other neighborhood in PPG near U.S. Steel because you're at Mon Valley Works, not the main building. Consider living in West Mifflin. The plant is right in the city, and West Mifflin is only about 10 to 12 miles from Downtown.

The city has everything you need nearby, but you'll need a car if you live in most sections. Regis Avenue and Commonwealth Avenue are the main walkable areas, and some parts of the city have buses, but West Mifflin isn't like the other neighborhoods that made the list.

If you're new to the area, head to Kennywood at least once, even if you're not a theme park person. It won the USA Today 10Best Readers' Choice Award. Though I haven't ridden it yet, the Steel Curtain has quite the reputation.

Working in Pittsburgh gives you a wealth of opportunities to find an apartment you'll love to return home to each night. Each section of Pittsburgh is different, so knowing firsthand from someone who lives there will help you tremendously during your search.