Calculate your take-home pay per paycheck for salary and hourly jobs after federal & Pennsylvania taxes
Updated for 2024 tax year on Jul 06, 2024
What was updated?Fixed calculation error with federal and state payroll taxes
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- California paycheck calculator
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How to calculate your Pennsylvania paycheck
Table of Contents
Overview of Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania state has a population of over 12 million (2019). Philadelphia, where the Declaration of Independence, U.S. Constitution, and the Gettysburg Address were written, is the largest city in the area. The median household income is $59,195 (2017).
Brief summary:
- the income tax is a flat rate of 3.07%
- local income tax for various cities
- subject to State Unemployment Insurance (SUI) of 0.06%
- no standard deduction and exemption
Understanding your Pennsylvania paycheck
Diving into the world of paychecks, especially in the Keystone State, can be a bit overwhelming. Before getting your take-home pay in Pennsylvania, you will notice withholdings for federal income taxes and FICA taxes. For the self-employed, you pay the entire FICA tax rate.
The Form W-4 plays a pivotal role in determining the amount of federal income tax withheld from your paycheck. It’s essential to keep this form up to date, especially after significant life events such as marriage or the birth of a child. Your marital status can influence your tax bracket and directly impact the taxes withheld from your earnings.
Pre-tax deductions lower your taxable income effectively. Contributions to retirement accounts, health savings accounts (HSAs), and other benefits can be deducted before taxes are applied, reducing your overall tax liability. These deductions are especially helpful for married couples, as they can enjoy potential tax savings through strategic financial planning.
The Pennsylvania income tax is aflat rate of 3.07%. The state also imposes a payroll tax for State Unemployment Insurance (SUI) of 0.06%.
Pennsylvania doesn’t offer a state standard deduction or personal exemptions, unlike many other states. Your taxable income remains unchanged, and the entire amount is subject to the state income tax rate.
Post-tax deductions are the final piece of the paycheck puzzle. These include items such as wage garnishments, union dues, and charitable contributions.
Calculate your Pennsylvania paycheck
Calculating your Pennsylvania state income tax is similar to the steps we listed on our main paycheck calculator page:
- Determine your gross income
- Annual salary
Annual salary = Gross income - Hourly wage
Hourly wage × Hours worked per day × Days worked per week × Weeks worked per year = Your weekly paycheck
- Annual salary
- Work out your total federal income tax
- Gross income adjusted
Gross income − Pre-tax deductions = Gross income adjusted - Federal taxable income
Gross income adjusted − Federal standard/itemized deductions = Federal taxable income - Federal income tax liability
Federal taxable income × Federal income tax rate = Federal income tax liability - Federal payroll tax liability
Gross income adjusted × Federal payroll tax rate = Federal payroll tax liability
- Gross income adjusted
- Calculate your total Pennsylvania state income tax
- State taxable income
Gross income adjusted − State itemized deductions = State taxable income - State income tax liability
State taxable income × State income tax rate = State income tax liability - State payroll tax liability
Gross income adjusted × State payroll tax rate = State payroll tax liability
- State taxable income
- Derive your local income tax liability
(Gross income adjusted or State taxable income) × Local income tax rate = Local income tax liability - Figure out your net pay
You need to account for any other deductions such as health insurance, 401(k) contribution, as well as additional withholdings.
Gross income − (Total income tax liability + Total payroll tax liability + Total pre-tax deductions + Total post-tax deductions + Total withholdings) = Your net pay - Divide your net pay by your pay frequency
- Daily
Your net pay / Days worked per week / Weeks worked per year = Your daily paycheck - Weekly
Your net pay / 52 = Your weekly paycheck - Bi-weekly
Your net pay / 26 = Your bi-weekly paycheck - Semi-monthly
Your net pay / 24 = Your semi-monthly paycheck - Monthly
Your net pay / 12 = Your monthly paycheck - Quarterly
Your net pay / 4 = Your quarterly paycheck - Semi-annual
Your net pay / 2 = Your semi-annual paycheck - Annual
Your net pay = Your annual paycheck
- Daily
State payroll tax
| Tax year | Tax name | Percent of taxable wage | Up to taxable wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 2023 | State Unemployment Insurance (SUI) | 0.07% | $10,000 |
| 2022 2021 2020 | 0.06% | $10,000 |
State income tax brackets
Refer to Tax Foundation for more details.
| Tax year | Filing status | Taxable income | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 | Single Married, Filing Jointly or Widow(er) Married, Filing Separately Head of Household | Any | 3.07% |
Local income tax
Based on local earned income.
| Tax year | City | Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 2023 2022 | Bethlehem | 1% |
| Bradford | 1% | |
| Caln | 1% | |
| Camp Hill | 2% | |
| Carlisle | 1.6% | |
| Erie | 1.65% | |
| Fairview | 1.45% | |
| Greene | 1.7% | |
| Gregg | 1.8% | |
| Hanover | 1% | |
| Harrisburg | 2% | |
| Horsham | 1% | |
| Kelly | 2% | |
| Lancaster | 1.1% | |
| Philadelphia | 3.8712% | |
| Pittsburgh | 3% | |
| Plains | 1% | |
| Reading | 3.6% | |
| Scranton | 3.4% | |
| South Lebanon | 1% | |
| South Park | 1% | |
| Tinicum | 1% | |
| Warminster | 1% | |
| Wilkes-Barre | 3% | |
| York | 1.25% | |
| 2021 | Bethlehem | 1% |
| Bradford | 1% | |
| Caln | 1% | |
| Camp Hill | 2% | |
| Carlisle | 1.6% | |
| Erie | 1.65% | |
| Fairview | 1% | |
| Greene | 1.7% | |
| Gregg | 1.8% | |
| Hanover | 1% | |
| Harrisburg | 2% | |
| Horsham | 1% | |
| Kelly | 2% | |
| Lancaster | 1.1% | |
| Monroeville | 1.5% | |
| Philadelphia | 3.8398% | |
| Pittsburgh | 3% | |
| Plains | 1% | |
| Reading | 3.6% | |
| Scranton | 3.4% | |
| South Lebanon | 1% | |
| South Park | 1% | |
| Susquehanna | 1% | |
| Tinicum | 1% | |
| Tredyffrin | 0% | |
| Warminster | 1% | |
| Wilkes-Barre | 3% | |
| York | 1% |
FAQs
How to calculate take home pay in Pennsylvania?
Follow the steps below to work out your take-home pay:
- Determine your gross income
- Work out your total federal income tax
- Calculate your total Pennsylvania state income tax
- Derive your local income tax liability
- Gross income minus taxes, deductions and withholdings
- Divide your net pay by your pay frequency
How much will Pennsylvania tax paychecks in 2024?
Pennsylvania will tax paychecks at a flat state income tax rate of 3.07%. Depending on your location, some cities have local income taxes. There is also a 0.07% State Unemployment Insurance payroll tax for income up to $10,000.
How much is taken out of my paycheck in Pennsylvania?
Besides the flat state income tax, taxes such as federal income tax, local income tax, Social Security, Medicare and State Unemployment Insurance might be withheld from your paycheck. The total amount varies depending on your chosen benefits.
What percentage of my paycheck goes to taxes in Pennsylvania?
The taxes on your paycheck include
- federal income tax (10% to 37%)
- state income tax (3.07%)
- local income tax
- Social Security (6.2%)
- Medicare (1.45% to 2.35%)
- State Unemployment Insurance (0.07%)
Overall, these taxes can take up about 15% to 45% of your gross paycheck.
