2026 Pennsylvania Hourly Wage Estimate
$15 an Hour After Taxes in Pennsylvania (2026)
Based on 40 hours per week × 52 weeks = 2,080 hours/year. Annual equivalent: $31,200.
| Federal Income Tax | $1,564 |
| State Income Tax | $958 |
| Social Security | $1,934 |
| Medicare | $452 |
| Effective tax rate | 15.7% |
Calculation assumptions
- Standard withholding per IRS Publication 15-T (2026)
- Social Security wage base: $184,500 (SSA 2026)
- No pre-tax deductions, no post-tax deductions
- Filing status: Single, one job
- Standard W-4 withholding (no additional withholding elections)
- Actual paycheck may differ based on employer setup, benefits, or W-4 elections
How Your PA Paycheck Works
Pennsylvania paychecks start with federal income tax withholding: employers apply IRS Publication 15-T's wage-bracket or percentage methods using the employee's Form W-4, pay period, taxable wages, and filing status. FICA is separate: in 2026, employee Social Security tax is 6.2% on wages up to $184,500, while employee Medicare tax is 1.45% with no wage cap. Employers must withhold the 0.9% Additional Medicare Tax once an employee's Medicare wages exceed $200,000 in the calendar year. Pennsylvania uses a flat personal income tax: employers withhold PA personal income tax at 3.07% of compensation for resident and nonresident employees earning Pennsylvania income. For Philadelphia workers, wages may also be subject to City Wage/Earnings Tax at 3.74% for residents and 3.43% for nonresidents who work in Philadelphia, effective July 1, 2025. Pennsylvania does not have a state disability insurance payroll tax or paid family leave program that affects employee withholding under standard assumptions. Estimates assume standard 2026 withholding, single filing status, and no pre-tax deductions; actual paycheck may differ.
2026 Tax Rate Quick Reference
| Tax | 2026 Rate | Wage Cap | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Federal Income Tax | 10%–37% (percentage-method withholding) | No wage cap | IRS Pub. 15-T |
| Social Security | 6.2% employee withholding | $184,500 | SSA 2026 |
| Medicare | 1.45% employee withholding | No wage cap | IRS Pub. 15 |
| Additional Medicare Surtax | 0.9% on wages over $200,000 | No wage cap | IRS Topic 560 |
| Pennsylvania State Income Tax | 3.07% flat withholding rate | No wage cap | PA DOR 2026 |
| Philadelphia Wage Tax (if applicable) | 3.74% resident / 3.43% nonresident | No wage cap | City of Philadelphia |
Sources Used for This Estimate
Other hourly rates for Pennsylvania
- $15 an hour after taxes
- $20 an hour after taxes
- $25 an hour after taxes
- $30 an hour after taxes
- $40 an hour after taxes
- $50 an hour after taxes
Related salary estimates for Pennsylvania
Calculate your exact paycheck
Open the full interactive Pennsylvania paycheck calculator →