Max $24,500/year
Per paycheck
PA Paycheck & Payroll Calculator — 2026 Wage Guide
Use this Pennsylvania payroll calculator to estimate net pay per paycheck with 2026 federal and PA tax rules. It includes Pennsylvania’s 3.07% personal income tax, the 0.07% employee unemployment contribution, FICA, and an optional local wage/EIT rate for Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, or another PA municipality.
Pennsylvania has a flat state income tax of 3.07%. Every worker pays the same rate, no matter their income level. This is very different from progressive states like California or New York, where higher earners pay higher rates.
💡 Effective July 1, 2026, Philadelphia Wage Tax is 3.735% for residents and 3.425% for non-residents who work in the city. Pittsburgh residents generally pay a 3% Earned Income Tax (1% city + 2% school district).
Understanding Your Taxable Wages in Pennsylvania
Your taxable wages are the portion of your paycheck subject to tax. This is usually your gross pay minus certain pre-tax deductions. Pennsylvania does not allow most federal deductions to reduce state taxable wages. This means your PA state tax is often calculated on a higher amount than your federal tax.
For example, if you contribute to a 401(k), that amount reduces your federal taxable wages. But Pennsylvania still taxes that same money at the state level. This is a key difference between Pennsylvania and many other states.
Local Income Taxes in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania is unique. Most PA municipalities charge their own local income taxes on top of the state rate. This is called the Earned Income Tax (EIT). Rates vary by municipality and school district, depending on where you live and work.
- Philadelphia residents: 3.735% Wage Tax effective July 1, 2026
- Philadelphia non-residents working in the city: 3.425% Wage Tax effective July 1, 2026
- Pittsburgh residents: 3% EIT (1% city + 2% school district)
- Other PA municipalities: use the current PSD/EIT rate for your residence/work location
This local income tax layer is why two people earning the same salary in different PA cities can have very different take-home pay. Always check your specific municipality's rate for the most accurate number.
Philadelphia Wage Tax Calculator — 2026
If you live in Philadelphia, choose Philadelphia resident — 3.735% in the local-tax field above. If you live outside Philadelphia but work in the city, choose Philadelphia non-resident worker — 3.425%. These rates are effective for pay dates on or after July 1, 2026.
The Philadelphia Wage Tax is calculated on wages and compensation in addition to Pennsylvania’s 3.07% state income tax. The result panel shows the city wage tax as a separate line so you can see how much it changes your take-home pay.
Pittsburgh Paycheck Calculator — Local EIT
Pittsburgh residents generally pay a combined 3% Earned Income Tax: 1% City of Pittsburgh plus 2% Pittsburgh Public Schools. Select the Pittsburgh option above to include this estimate in your paycheck calculation. Non-resident rules can differ, so use the custom local EIT option when appropriate.
Form W-4 and Withholding in Pennsylvania
When you start a new job, you complete a federal Form W-4. This form tells your employer how much federal tax to withhold taxes from each paycheck. Pennsylvania also requires a state withholding form, separate from the federal W-4.
Filling out your Form W-4 correctly matters. If you withhold too little, you may owe money at tax time. If you withhold too much, you get a bigger refund but less money in each paycheck. Our calculator shows you the standard withholding amount based on current tax brackets.
Payroll Taxes: What Comes Out of Every Paycheck
Every Pennsylvania paycheck has several types of payroll taxes withheld. Understanding each one helps you read your pay stub with confidence.
- Federal income tax: Based on 2026 IRS tax brackets, from 10% to 37%
- Pennsylvania state tax: Flat 3.07% on all taxable wages
- Local income tax: 1%–3.8% depending on your municipality
- FICA taxes: Social Security (6.2%) and Medicare (1.45%)
FICA taxes fund Social Security and Medicare programs. Every worker pays these regardless of state. Your employer also pays a matching amount on your behalf, though this doesn't come out of your paycheck.
Pay Period Basics: How Often You Get Paid in Pennsylvania
Your pay period is how often your employer issues a paycheck. Pennsylvania employers commonly use bi-weekly (every two weeks) or semi-monthly (twice a month) pay periods. Some hourly jobs pay weekly instead.
Your pay period changes how much tax is withheld from each check, but not your total annual tax. A bi-weekly pay period means 26 paychecks per year. A semi-monthly pay period means 24 paychecks per year. Our calculator lets you select your pay period to see the right per-paycheck amount.
Hourly Workers: The 40 Hours Rule in Pennsylvania
Most Pennsylvania jobs use a standard 40 hours work week. If you work more than 40 hours in a week, federal law generally requires overtime pay at 1.5 times your normal rate. This applies to most hourly employees, though some salaried positions are exempt.
If you are paid hourly, multiply your hourly rate by 40 hours to estimate your weekly gross pay before overtime. Our calculator supports both hourly and salaried entries, so you can switch between them easily.
Unemployment Insurance in Pennsylvania
Unemployment insurance funds benefits for workers who lose their jobs through no fault of their own. In most states, unemployment insurance is fully paid by the employer. Pennsylvania is one of the few states that also requires a small employee contribution toward unemployment insurance, alongside the standard employer-paid portion.
For calendar year 2026, Pennsylvania’s employee unemployment compensation contribution is 0.07% of gross wages. This calculator includes that employee-paid contribution in the estimate.
State Unemployment Tax — Does It Affect Your Paycheck?
Employers have separate unemployment contribution obligations. For employees, the 2026 PA unemployment compensation contribution rate is 0.07% of gross wages; the calculator above subtracts it from estimated take-home pay.
Gross Pay vs Net Pay: What's the Difference?
Your gross pay is your full salary before any deductions. Your net pay — also called take-home pay — is what actually lands in your bank account. In Pennsylvania, the gap between gross and net pay depends heavily on your city. A Philadelphia resident will see a bigger gap than someone living in a township with no local tax.
Use the calculator above to see your estimated net pay. Enter your salary, select your pay frequency, and instantly see the breakdown between gross pay and take-home pay.
Frequently Asked Questions — Pennsylvania Payroll Calculator
Calculation note: This is an estimate, not tax advice. The PA calculator includes 3.07% state income tax, 0.07% employee UC, and the local wage/EIT option you choose. It does not model every tax credit, reciprocity rule, PSD combination, or employer-specific payroll adjustment.
2026 Pennsylvania Payroll Tax Sources
Rates on this page were reviewed against official government sources on September 6, 2026.
- Pennsylvania Department of Revenue — Personal Income Tax: 3.07% state personal income tax.
- PA Department of Labor & Industry — UC Contributions: 0.07% employee contribution for calendar year 2026.
- City of Philadelphia — Wage Tax: 3.735% resident and 3.425% non-resident rates effective July 1, 2026.
- City of Pittsburgh — Earned Income Tax: 3% total resident EIT.
- Pennsylvania DCED — PSD Codes & EIT Rates: lookup for other municipalities.
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