Pennsylvania Paycheck Calculator 2026

This Pennsylvania paycheck calculator is a free tool that turns gross salary or an hourly rate into take-home pay after federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare and Pennsylvania's flat 3.07% state tax. Enter your pay period and pre-tax deductions to see net pay per cheque and per year.

Pennsylvania Payroll Tax Overview

Pennsylvania uses a flat state income tax rate of 3.07% on all taxable wages. Unlike most states, Pennsylvania offers no standard deduction and no personal exemption — the 3.07% applies from your first dollar of taxable compensation. The only broad relief is Tax Forgiveness (Schedule SP), an income-based credit that can wipe out some or all of the state tax for lower-income households, claimed on your PA-40 return rather than through payroll.

On top of state income tax, workers in Pennsylvania also pay federal income tax (10%–37% graduated brackets), Social Security (6.2% up to the annual wage base, roughly $184,500 for 2026 — the SSA re-sets it each autumn), and Medicare (1.45%, or 2.35% above $200,000 for high earners). Pre-tax deductions do not all behave the same way in Pennsylvania — see the 401(k) warning below.

Federal brackets for single filers (2025 thresholds, which the IRS adjusts for inflation each year — check IRS.gov for the current table): 10% on the first $11,925; 12% to $48,475; 22% to $103,350; 24% to $197,300; 32% to $250,525; 35% to $626,350; 37% above. Your effective federal rate will be well below the marginal rate at most income levels.

Federal vs Pennsylvania Tax Burden

For a Pennsylvania single filer earning $60,000 annually, estimated federal income tax is roughly $6,748 (11.2% effective), plus Pennsylvania state tax of $1,290 (flat 3.07%), Social Security $3,720, and Medicare $870. Estimated annual take-home: approximately $47,400.

The flat tax structure means Pennsylvania does not penalize additional income with a higher marginal state rate — every extra dollar earned is taxed at exactly 3.07% for state purposes. This can make Pennsylvania attractive for higher earners who benefit from the predictability of a flat system.

The 401(k) trap that surprises everyone who moves to Pennsylvania: your elective 401(k), 403(b) and 457 deferrals reduce your federal taxable wages but not your Pennsylvania taxable wages. Pennsylvania taxes the contribution going in, then does not tax the qualifying distribution coming out after retirement age — the opposite order to federal treatment. So maxing your 401(k) cuts your federal tax immediately but leaves the 3.07% state line on your pay stub unchanged, and it is why Box 1 and Box 16 on your W-2 will not match.

Section 125 cafeteria-plan deductions behave differently and do reduce Pennsylvania taxable wages: employee health, dental and vision premiums, plus dependent-care and medical FSA contributions. HSA contributions made through payroll under a cafeteria plan reduce PA wages too, while contributions you make directly do not. If you want to lower the Pennsylvania line on your pay stub, the cafeteria-plan deductions are the lever — the 401(k) is not.

How to Use This Pennsylvania Paycheck Calculator

Enter your pay period (weekly, biweekly, semimonthly, monthly, or annual), then input either your annual gross salary or your hourly rate and average hours per week. Select your federal filing status — single, married filing jointly, married filing separately, or head of household — as this determines your federal tax brackets and standard deduction.

If you have pre-tax deductions such as a 401(k) contribution, health insurance premium, or HSA contribution, enter the total per-period dollar amount. These reduce your federal taxable income; note that 401(k) deferrals do not reduce Pennsylvania taxable wages, while Section 125 health premiums do. The calculator will show federal income tax, Social Security (6.2%), Medicare (1.45%), Pennsylvania state income tax (3.07%), your total deductions, and your net take-home pay — both per period and annualized.

Results are estimates based on standard assumptions and 2026 tax rates. Actual withholding may differ based on your W-4 elections, additional withholding, local taxes (in some cities), or retirement plan contribution limits. For precise payroll calculations, consult your payroll provider or a tax professional.

Pennsylvania Local EIT and PSD — The Municipal Wage Tax Every Paycheck Loses

Pennsylvania is one of only a handful of US states where nearly every employed resident pays a local Earned Income Tax (EIT) on top of the flat 3.07% state rate. Per the PA Department of Community and Economic Development official EIT rate lookup, every municipality and school district sets its own EIT (also called "wage tax" in Philadelphia). Typical rates: Philadelphia 3.75% for residents (3.44% non-residents), Pittsburgh 3% combined, suburban townships 1–2%, rural townships often 1.0%. The rate stacks with the state 3.07% — so a Philly resident in 2026 pays an effective state+local rate of roughly 6.82%, more than double the headline state rate. The calculator above estimates state tax only. To get your true Pennsylvania net pay, look up your PSD (Political Subdivision) code and EIT rate at the DCED lookup, then subtract (EIT rate × gross taxable wages) from the take-home figure shown. Updated 2026-06-24.