Pennsylvania paycheck taxes at a glance (2026)
| State income tax | A flat 3.07% of compensation and other taxable income, with no standard deduction or personal exemption |
|---|---|
| State payroll taxes | Unemployment Compensation (0.07% of all wages) |
| Local income taxes | Most Pennsylvania municipalities and school districts levy an earned income tax, typically 1% combined (3% for Pittsburgh residents), and many charge a Local Services Tax of up to $52 a year. Philadelphia's wage tax is 3.735% for residents and 3.425% for nonresidents from July 1, 2026. |
| Federal (every state) | 2026 brackets from 10% to 37%; Social Security 6.2% up to $184,500; Medicare 1.45%, plus 0.9% on wages over $200,000 |
| Sales tax | 6.34% average combined rate — Pennsylvania sales tax calculator |
How Pennsylvania taxes your paycheck
A flat 3.07% of compensation and other taxable income, with no standard deduction or personal exemption. The calculation starts from Pennsylvania taxable compensation (401(k) deferrals are not excluded). Employers withhold it each payday using the state's withholding formula, so a pay stub can differ a little from the annual tax estimated here; any difference settles when you file your Pennsylvania return.
State payroll contributions
- Unemployment Compensation: 0.07% of all wages. Source: Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry, 2026 UC tax highlights.
The calculator applies these to gross pay minus Section 125 (pre-tax health) deductions. They fund benefits you can claim yourself, such as partial wage replacement during a disability or a family or medical leave.
Worked example: $65,000 salary in Pennsylvania
A single filer paid every two weeks (26 paychecks), with no 401(k) or health deductions — the calculator's starting values:
| Line | Per paycheck | Per year |
|---|---|---|
| Gross pay | $2,500.00 | $65,000.00 |
| Federal income tax | −$216.15 | −$5,620.00 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | −$155.00 | −$4,030.00 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | −$36.25 | −$942.50 |
| Pennsylvania income tax | −$76.75 | −$1,995.50 |
| PA Unemployment Compensation | −$1.75 | −$45.50 |
| Take-home pay | $2,014.10 | $52,366.50 |
Federal: $65,000 − $16,100 standard deduction = $48,900 taxable, which the 2026 single brackets tax at $5,620.00.
Pennsylvania: $65,000 = $65,000 taxable; the brackets give $1,995.50 (3.07% of pay).
Unemployment Compensation $45.50.
All taxes together take 19.4% of gross pay, leaving $52,366.50.
Take-home pay at other salaries in Pennsylvania
| Salary | Single, per year | Single, biweekly | PA income tax | Total tax rate | Married jointly, per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $40,000 | $33,064 | $1,271.69 | $1,228 | 17.3% | $34,904 |
| $50,000 | $40,785 | $1,568.65 | $1,535 | 18.4% | $42,825 |
| $65,000 | $52,367 | $2,014.10 | $1,996 | 19.4% | $54,547 |
| $80,000 | $62,598 | $2,407.62 | $2,456 | 21.8% | $66,128 |
| $100,000 | $76,040 | $2,924.62 | $3,070 | 24% | $81,570 |
| $150,000 | $109,081 | $4,195.42 | $4,605 | 27.3% | $118,475 |
Standard deduction only, with no pre-tax deductions or dependents and no local tax. The total tax rate (single) includes federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare, state income tax and state payroll contributions.
Pennsylvania compared with nearby states
On a $65,000 salary (single, biweekly), Pennsylvania ranks 21 of 51 for take-home pay, where 1 keeps the most. Ohio would leave you more each year; Maryland, New York, Delaware, New Jersey and West Virginia would leave less.
Local income taxes are left out, except Maryland's county tax, which every resident pays (3.20% used here).
| State | State & county income tax | State payroll taxes | Take-home per year | vs. Pennsylvania |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania | $1,996 | $46 | $52,367 | — |
| New York | $2,913 | $312 | $51,183 | −$1,184 |
| New Jersey | $2,044 | $463 | $51,901 | −$466 |
| Delaware | $2,949 | $260 | $51,199 | −$1,168 |
| Maryland | $4,594 | $0 | $49,813 | −$2,553 |
| West Virginia | $2,088 | $0 | $52,320 | −$47 |
| Ohio | $1,354 | $0 | $53,054 | +$687 |
Good to know about Pennsylvania paychecks
- Pennsylvania doesn't let you deduct 401(k) contributions from state taxable wages, but it generally doesn't tax retirement distributions.
- Pennsylvania is one of three states that withhold unemployment insurance from employees — 0.07% of all wages.
Frequently asked questions
How much is $65,000 a year after taxes in Pennsylvania?
About $52,367 a year, or $2,014.10 per biweekly paycheck, for a single filer with no pre-tax deductions in 2026. That is after $5,620 of federal income tax, $4,973 of Social Security and Medicare, $1,996 of Pennsylvania income tax and $46 of Unemployment Compensation. A married couple filing jointly on the same salary keeps about $54,547.
Does Pennsylvania have a state income tax?
Yes. A flat 3.07% of compensation and other taxable income, with no standard deduction or personal exemption. On a $65,000 salary a single filer owes about $1,996 a year, 3.07% of pay.
What else is taken out of a paycheck in Pennsylvania?
Besides federal taxes and state income tax, Pennsylvania employees pay Unemployment Compensation (0.07% of all wages). On a $65,000 salary that comes to about $46 a year.
Do cities or counties in Pennsylvania tax wages?
Most Pennsylvania municipalities and school districts levy an earned income tax, typically 1% combined (3% for Pittsburgh residents), and many charge a Local Services Tax of up to $52 a year. Philadelphia's wage tax is 3.735% for residents and 3.425% for nonresidents from July 1, 2026.
Is take-home pay higher in Pennsylvania or nearby states?
On a $65,000 single salary, Pennsylvania ranks 21 of 51 for take-home pay at $52,367. Ohio ($53,054) leaves more, while Maryland ($49,813), New York ($51,183) and Delaware ($51,199) leave less.
Estimates only — not tax advice. Actual withholding depends on your federal Form W-4, any Pennsylvania withholding certificate, pre-tax benefits and year-to-date wages. Pennsylvania income tax figures: Tax Foundation, State Individual Income Tax Rates and Brackets, 2026 (as of Jan. 1, 2026). Payroll contributions: sources listed above. Checked October 2026.