Pennsylvania Wage and Hour Laws: Minimum Wage, Overtime & Pay Rights (2026)

Pennsylvania's wage and hour laws largely follow federal standards, with the minimum wage at the federal floor of $7.25/hour. The Pennsylvania Wage Payment and Collection Law provides strong enforcement mechanisms for unpaid wages.

Quick Facts: Pennsylvania Wage Laws

Topic	Pennsylvania	Federal (FLSA)
Minimum Wage	$7.25/hour	$7.25/hour
Overtime	After 40 hours/week	After 40 hours/week
Pay Frequency	Semi-monthly	Not specified
Meal Breaks	Not required (adults)	Not required
Final Paycheck	Next regular payday	Not specified

Minimum Wage

Statewide Rate

$7.25/hour (same as federal)

Pennsylvania has not increased minimum wage above federal level.

Tipped Employees

Cash wage: $2.83/hour
With tips must equal $7.25
Employer makes up difference

Youth Minimum

Lower rates may apply for minors in certain situations.

Overtime

Requirements

Time-and-a-half after 40 hours per week
No daily overtime requirement
Follows FLSA standards

Exemptions

Executive, administrative, professional
Outside sales
Some seasonal workers
Certain agricultural workers

Wage Payment and Collection Law

Pay Frequency

At least semi-monthly
Regular paydays must be designated

Deductions

Permitted:

Legally required (taxes, garnishments)
Written authorization for employee's benefit

Prohibited:

Shortages, breakage without specific authorization
Deductions that reduce below minimum wage

Final Paycheck

Due on next regular payday
All earned wages including vacation (if policy provides)

Filing Wage Claims

Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry

Phone: 717-787-4763 Website: dli.pa.gov

Private Lawsuit

File in court within 3 years
Can recover unpaid wages plus liquidated damages

Philadelphia Paid Sick Leave

In Philadelphia only:

40 hours per year
Employers with 10+ employees
Accrual: 1 hour per 40 worked

Common Questions

Why is PA minimum wage so low?

Pennsylvania follows federal minimum wage and hasn't passed legislation to increase it. Some efforts to raise it have not succeeded.

Are breaks required?

For adults, no meal or rest breaks are required by Pennsylvania law. Minors have break requirements.

How do I report wage theft?

File with Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry or consult an attorney for private lawsuit.

Finding Legal Help

Free Resources

PA DOL: dli.pa.gov | 717-787-4763
WHD (Federal): dol.gov/agencies/whd
PA Law Help: palawhelp.org

Employment Attorneys

Many handle wage cases on contingency or fee-shifting basis.

Related Resources

Legal Disclaimer

This guide provides general information about Pennsylvania wage and hour laws and is not legal advice. For advice about your situation, consult a licensed Pennsylvania employment attorney.

Official Resources:

PA Department of Labor & Industry: https://dli.pa.gov | 717-787-4763
US Department of Labor: https://dol.gov