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Pennsylvania Minimum Wage 2026: Federal Floor, Local Rules
Pennsylvania's 2026 minimum wage is $7.25 per hour, matching the federal floor exactly, per the U.S. Department of Labor's state minimum wage chart.
While Pennsylvania's base wage rate is simple, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh each layer on local paid sick leave ordinances that statewide employers do not have to navigate. This guide covers the wage floor, overtime rules, and local caveats for 2026.
Pennsylvania Minimum Wage Rates for 2026
| Wage Floor | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|
| Pennsylvania state minimum wage | $7.25 |
| Federal minimum wage (FLSA) | $7.25 |
Because Pennsylvania's state rate matches the federal minimum, the wage floor itself is straightforward. The complexity in Pennsylvania comes from local ordinances layered on top of that base rate, not from the wage rate itself.
Overtime Rules in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania follows the standard weekly overtime rule: non-exempt employees earn 1.5x their regular rate of pay for hours worked over 40 in a workweek. There is no daily overtime threshold under state law.
Philadelphia and Pittsburgh Paid Sick Leave Ordinances
Pennsylvania does not have a statewide paid sick leave law, but Philadelphia and Pittsburgh each have their own local paid sick leave ordinances that apply to employers with workers physically located in those cities. These ordinances typically set accrual rates and usage rules independent of state law, so a Pennsylvania employer with locations in both cities and elsewhere in the state may need to run different sick leave policies by location. Confirm the current ordinance requirements directly, since city rules can be updated separately from state law.
Paid Family Leave in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania does not operate a state paid family and medical leave (PFML) program. Employers rely on federal FMLA protections where applicable.
Tipped Employees and Local Ordinances
Tip credit provisions allow eligible employers to pay tipped employees a lower direct cash wage as long as tips bring total compensation up to at least minimum wage. Because Philadelphia and Pittsburgh both maintain their own local labor ordinances beyond sick leave, confirm current tipped wage rules and any applicable local requirements through the DOL state labor office contacts page.
What This Means for Payroll Compliance
Pennsylvania payroll compliance means applying a simple statewide wage floor correctly, while separately tracking Philadelphia and Pittsburgh paid sick leave ordinances for any employees working in those cities. Multi-location Pennsylvania employers face more local ordinance complexity than the flat wage rate suggests.
BEG's managed payroll service tracks Pennsylvania's wage floor and the Philadelphia and Pittsburgh sick leave ordinances automatically at every payroll close, so location-specific compliance does not fall on your internal team.
Pennsylvania Payroll, Handled.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Pennsylvania minimum wage in 2026?
Pennsylvania's minimum wage is $7.25 per hour in 2026, matching the federal minimum wage. The state has not enacted a minimum wage above the federal floor.
Do Philadelphia and Pittsburgh have their own minimum wage?
Philadelphia and Pittsburgh have local paid sick leave ordinances, but the base minimum wage in both cities still follows the $7.25 state and federal rate. Employers in those cities need to comply with the local sick leave rules in addition to the wage floor.
What is the overtime rule in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania follows the standard weekly overtime rule: 1.5x the regular rate of pay for hours worked over 40 in a workweek.
Does Pennsylvania require paid sick leave statewide?
No, Pennsylvania does not have a statewide paid sick leave law or a state paid family and medical leave (PFML) program. However, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh each have their own local paid sick leave ordinances that apply to employers within city limits.
Where can Pennsylvania employers confirm current local ordinance requirements?
The U.S. Department of Labor publishes a state-by-state minimum wage chart, and its state contacts directory links directly to the Pennsylvania labor office, which can point employers to the specific Philadelphia or Pittsburgh ordinance text.
Related Resources
Anthony leads payroll solutions at Business Executive Group, a national managed payroll firm serving businesses across industries. BEG manages payroll at $25-$45 PEPM, all-inclusive, with deep expertise in compliance, multi-state filing, and state-specific wage and hour requirements. Get instant pricing at beghr.com.
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