Pennsylvania Paycheck Calculator

Living on a paycheck in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania has one of the lowest flat state income tax rates in the nation at 3.07%, applied evenly to wages with no standard deduction. But many Pennsylvania municipalities add a local Earned Income Tax, and Philadelphia's wage tax is among the highest local rates in the country — so where you live and work matters a great deal here.

Because the local picture varies so much, your true take-home can differ sharply between, say, a small township and Philadelphia. The calculator above lets you include Philadelphia's wage tax to see the difference.

How Pennsylvania taxes are withheld

A Pennsylvania paycheck has federal income tax, Social Security (6.2%), and Medicare (1.45%) withheld, plus the flat 3.07% state income tax on gross compensation — Pennsylvania does not offer a standard deduction, so the rate applies broadly. A small employee unemployment contribution is also withheld on all wages.

On top of the state rate, most municipalities levy a local Earned Income Tax, and Philadelphia residents pay a notably higher city wage tax. These local taxes can dwarf the modest state rate, so they belong in any realistic estimate.

What shapes your take-home in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania's flat 3.07% rate is low and applies to almost all wages, so the biggest swing in your take-home comes from local taxes. As an illustration, a single filer earning $75,000 might owe about $2,300 in state income tax, while a Philadelphia resident would add a far larger city wage tax on top. The calculator above shows the exact difference.

Getting the most from each paycheck in Pennsylvania

Because Pennsylvania has no standard deduction, pre-tax 401(k) contributions are especially valuable — they reduce both your federal tax and the wages subject to local Earned Income Tax. If you can choose where to work or live, the local wage-tax difference is worth weighing carefully.

How Pennsylvania taxes your paycheck

Pennsylvania has a flat 3.07% state income tax. Use the calculator above to estimate your take-home pay after all withholdings.

Every US paycheck also has federal income tax, Social Security (6.2% up to the annual wage base), and Medicare (1.45%, plus 0.9% on high earners) withheld. Your taxable income is your gross pay minus pre-tax deductions such as 401(k) and pre-tax health premiums.

Pennsylvania levies a flat 3.07% state rate, but many municipalities add a local Earned Income Tax. Philadelphia's resident wage tax is among the highest; select it above to include it.