Free Evaluation
Free Evaluation

Pennsylvania Minimum Wage 2025: Federal Minimum of $7.25/Hour

Pennsylvania has NO state minimum wage higher than the federal minimum. As a result, Pennsylvania minimum wage is $7.25 per hour—the federal minimum wage, unchanged since 2009.

This puts Pennsylvania among the lowest-wage states in the nation, tied with 20+ other states at the federal minimum. Unlike neighboring states like New York ($15.00) and Ohio ($10.45 indexed), Pennsylvania has not passed legislation to raise its minimum wage above the federal floor.

Understanding your wage rights in Pennsylvania—including tip credit rules and what to do if your employer violates wage laws—is critical to ensuring you’re paid fairly.

Pennsylvania Minimum Wage Rates (2025)

Standard Minimum Wage: $7.25/Hour (Federal)

2025 Pennsylvania minimum wage: $7.25 per hour

This is the federal minimum wage—Pennsylvania has no higher state minimum

Applies to: All employees in Pennsylvania (with limited exceptions)

No annual adjustment: Unlike states with indexed minimum wages (Ohio, Washington, Illinois), Pennsylvania minimum wage does not automatically increase with inflation. Changes require legislative action.

History:

  • 2009-2025: $7.25/hour (federal minimum, unchanged for 16 years)
  • 2007-2009: Various increases to reach $7.25 under federal law

Comparison to other states:

  • Pennsylvania: $7.25/hour (federal minimum)
  • Washington: $16.28/hour ✅ ($9.03 higher)
  • California: $16.00/hour ✅ ($8.75 higher)
  • Illinois: $15.00/hour ✅ ($7.75 higher)
  • New York: $15.00/hour ✅ ($7.75 higher)
  • Ohio: $10.45/hour ✅ ($3.20 higher, indexed)
  • Texas: $7.25/hour (federal)
  • Georgia: $7.25/hour (federal)
  • North Carolina: $7.25/hour (federal)
  • Florida: $7.25/hour (federal)

Pennsylvania is tied for lowest with 20+ states at federal minimum.

Philadelphia: NO Local Minimum Wage

Philadelphia has NO higher local minimum wage

Unlike cities that have enacted local minimum wage ordinances (Seattle $19.97, Chicago $16.20, Los Angeles $16.78), Philadelphia follows Pennsylvania’s $7.25/hour minimum.

Example: You work at a restaurant in Philadelphia. Minimum wage is $7.25/hour (same as rest of Pennsylvania). There is no higher Philadelphia-specific minimum wage.

Legislative efforts: Philadelphia has attempted to pass local minimum wage ordinances, but Pennsylvania state law preempts local governments from setting their own minimum wages. A 2019 Pennsylvania court ruling struck down Philadelphia’s attempt to raise local minimum wage, finding state law prohibits municipalities from enacting their own wage laws.

Tipped Minimum Wage: $2.83/Hour

Pennsylvania allows tip credit for tipped employees:

Tipped employee definition: Receives more than $135/month in tips

Tipped minimum wage: $2.83/hour (cash wage)

Maximum tip credit: $4.42/hour (difference between $7.25 and $2.83)

Employer’s obligation: If tips don’t bring total compensation to $7.25/hour, employer must make up the difference

Pennsylvania tipped minimum ($2.83) is higher than federal ($2.13) but lower than states with no tip credit (Washington, California, Illinois).

Example: You’re a server working 40 hours/week. Employer pays you $2.83/hour = $113.20. You earn $180 in tips. Total = $293.20 for the week. Your hourly average = $293.20 ÷ 40 = $7.33/hour (above $7.25 minimum, so legal).

If tips don’t reach minimum wage: Employer must make up the difference

Example: Same server, but slow week—you only earn $80 in tips.

  • Cash wage: $2.83 × 40 = $113.20
  • Tips: $80
  • Total: $193.20
  • Hourly average: $193.20 ÷ 40 = $4.83/hour
  • Below minimum wage of $7.25/hour

Employer owes additional: ($7.25 × 40) – $193.20 = $290 – $193.20 = $96.80 to bring you to minimum wage.

Employer’s obligation: Track tips and ensure total compensation (cash wage + tips) meets or exceeds $7.25/hour.

Training Wage

Pennsylvania does NOT have a separate training wage or youth minimum wage

Federal law allows: Under 20 can be paid $4.25/hour for first 90 consecutive days (rarely used)

Example: You’re 18-year-old worker at your first job. After 90 days of employment, you must be paid at least $7.25/hour (no lower training wage in Pennsylvania law).

Pennsylvania Overtime Law

Overtime Rate: 1.5× Regular Rate

Pennsylvania overtime law (43 Pa. Stat. § 333.104) requires:

  • Time and a half for hours over 40 in a workweek
  • Follows federal FLSA standards generally

Example: You earn $10/hour and work 50 hours in a week.

  • Regular time: 40 hours × $10 = $400
  • Overtime: 10 hours × $15 (1.5 × $10) = $150
  • Total owed: $550

Minimum wage workers:

  • $7.25/hour × 1.5 = $10.88/hour for overtime

Tipped employees and overtime: Overtime rate calculated on full minimum wage ($7.25), not tipped minimum wage ($2.83). Employer can take tip credit on overtime hours if tips sufficient.

Example: Tipped server earns $2.83/hour cash wage. Works 50 hours.

  • Overtime rate: $7.25 × 1.5 = $10.88/hour (for 10 overtime hours)
  • Employer can take tip credit on overtime hours if tips sufficient to cover difference

Exempt vs. Non-Exempt Employees

Not everyone gets overtime:

Exempt employees (no overtime required):

  • Executive, administrative, professional employees meeting specific tests
  • Must earn at least $844/week ($43,888/year) as of 2024 federal threshold
  • Must perform primarily exempt duties

Common misclassification: Employers sometimes incorrectly classify employees as “exempt” to avoid paying overtime. If misclassified, you’re entitled to back overtime pay.

Example: You’re classified as “assistant manager” at retail store and paid $38,000/year salary. You work 55 hours/week regularly, no overtime. Employer claims you’re “salaried exempt.” However, you spend 90% of time doing non-managerial tasks (cashier, stocking, cleaning). You’re likely misclassified—you should receive overtime for hours over 40.

Meal and Rest Breaks

Pennsylvania Break Requirements

Pennsylvania does NOT require meal or rest breaks for adults (18+)

Minors (under 18): Must receive 30-minute meal break after 5 consecutive hours of work

If employer provides breaks: Federal law requires breaks under 20 minutes be paid

Example (adult worker): You work 10-hour shift with no breaks. This is legal in Pennsylvania (though employer may choose to provide breaks as matter of policy).

Example (minor worker): You’re 17 and work 6-hour shift. Employer must provide 30-minute meal break after first 5 hours.

Contrast with states requiring breaks:

  • Washington: 30-minute meal break + two 10-minute paid rest breaks for 8-hour shift
  • California: 30-minute meal break + 10-minute rest breaks
  • Illinois: 20-minute meal break for 7.5+ hour shifts

Pennsylvania is more employer-friendly on break requirements than these states.

Common Minimum Wage Violations

Paying Below Minimum Wage

Illegal: Paying less than $7.25/hour (or applicable minimum)

Common violations:

  • Paying “under the table” below minimum
  • Misclassifying employees as independent contractors to avoid minimum wage
  • Failing to include all hours worked in minimum wage calculation

Example: Employer pays you $6/hour cash “under the table.” This is below Pennsylvania/federal minimum wage of $7.25/hour and violates law.

Illegal Deductions

Pennsylvania law prohibits deductions that reduce wages below minimum wage:

Illegal:

  • Deducting for broken dishes, cash register shortages, customer walk-outs if it brings wage below minimum
  • Requiring employee to pay for uniforms if it reduces wage below minimum
  • Charging for tools or equipment if it reduces below minimum

Legal (if doesn’t reduce below minimum):

  • Tax withholding
  • Court-ordered garnishments
  • Employee-authorized deductions (401k, health insurance)

Example: You earn $8/hour and work 40 hours = $320. Employer deducts $50 for broken dishes. Net = $270 ÷ 40 = $6.75/hour, below minimum wage of $7.25. This deduction is illegal.

Unpaid Off-the-Clock Work

All hours worked must be paid at least minimum wage:

Violations:

  • Requiring work before clocking in or after clocking out
  • Unpaid prep time or closing duties
  • Automatic meal break deductions when employee works through break
  • Mandatory unpaid meetings or training

Example: You’re required to arrive 15 minutes early each day for unpaid “prep work” and stay 15 minutes after shift for unpaid “closing tasks.” That’s 30 minutes/day × 5 days/week = 2.5 hours/week of unpaid work. This violates minimum wage and overtime laws.

Tipped Worker Violations

Common tip credit violations:

  • Paying tipped minimum ($2.83) when tips don’t bring total to $7.25
  • Taking larger tip credit than allowed (more than $4.42/hour)
  • Keeping portion of tips (illegal tip pooling with management)
  • Requiring tips to cover business expenses

Example: Restaurant pays servers $2.83/hour but doesn’t track tips to ensure total compensation meets $7.25/hour minimum. On slow nights, servers’ tips + wages fall below minimum. Restaurant doesn’t make up difference. This violates Pennsylvania law.

“Comp Time” Instead of Overtime Pay

Private employers cannot offer “comp time” instead of overtime pay

Illegal: “Work 50 hours this week, take 10 hours off next week” (for private sector)

Legal for: Public sector employees (government) under specific circumstances

Private sector: Must pay 1.5× overtime rate for hours over 40 in workweek—cannot substitute time off

Example: You work 45 hours one week. Employer says “take 5 hours off next week instead of overtime pay.” For private employers, this is illegal—you’re entitled to 5 hours × overtime rate (1.5×) as pay.

Filing Wage Claim in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry

For minimum wage violations:

Phone: 1-800-932-0665 or 717-787-4671

Website: dli.pa.gov

What to file:

  • Complaint about unpaid minimum wage
  • Unpaid overtime
  • Illegal deductions
  • Final paycheck issues

Deadline: Generally 3 years to file wage claim under federal FLSA

Federal Department of Labor

U.S. Department of Labor – Wage and Hour Division also enforces minimum wage:

Philadelphia Office: 215-597-4950
Pittsburgh Office: 412-395-4996
Harrisburg Office: 717-782-4539
National: 1-866-487-9243

When to file with federal DOL:

  • Employer violates both Pennsylvania and federal wage laws
  • Want federal enforcement in addition to state
  • Pennsylvania Dept of L&I not responsive

Private Lawsuit

You can file lawsuit in Pennsylvania state or federal court to recover unpaid wages:

Damages:

  • Unpaid wages (difference between what you should have been paid and what you were paid)
  • Liquidated damages (can double unpaid wages under federal FLSA if willful)
  • Attorney’s fees if you prevail

Statute of limitations: 3 years from wage violation under federal FLSA (2 years if not willful)

Example: Employer owes you $8,000 in unpaid minimum wages over 2 years. You file lawsuit and prove willful violation. You recover:

  • $8,000 unpaid wages
  • $8,000 liquidated damages (doubling)
  • Attorney’s fees
  • Total: $16,000+ (plus fees)

Consult employment attorney to evaluate whether lawsuit makes sense for your situation.

Minimum Wage Legislation Efforts

Ongoing Legislative Efforts to Raise Pennsylvania Minimum Wage

Pennsylvania has seen repeated legislative efforts to raise the state minimum wage above $7.25, but as of 2025, none have succeeded:

Recent proposals:

  • $15/hour minimum wage (proposed multiple times)
  • $12/hour intermediate increases
  • Indexing to inflation (automatic annual increases like Ohio, Washington)

Political divide: Minimum wage increases have passed Democratic-controlled state House but stalled in Republican-controlled Senate, or vice versa depending on election cycle.

Pennsylvania lags behind neighboring states:

  • New York: $15.00/hour
  • New Jersey: $15.13/hour (indexed)
  • Maryland: $15.00/hour (phasing in)
  • Ohio: $10.45/hour (indexed)
  • West Virginia: $8.75/hour
  • Delaware: $13.25/hour (phasing to $15)

Pennsylvania is only neighboring state at federal minimum ($7.25), along with Virginia.

Philadelphia’s Blocked Attempts

2019: Philadelphia City Council passed ordinance raising Philadelphia minimum wage to $15/hour by 2023. Pennsylvania courts struck it down, ruling Pennsylvania law preempts municipalities from setting their own minimum wages.

State preemption: Pennsylvania is one of ~25 states that prohibit local governments from enacting higher minimum wages.

Result: Philadelphia remains at $7.25/hour despite high cost of living.

Common Questions

Can my employer pay me less than minimum wage during training?

No (for adults). Pennsylvania does not allow “training wage” below minimum wage for adults.

Exception: Workers under 20 can be paid federal “youth minimum wage” of $4.25/hour for first 90 consecutive days under federal law (rarely used).

What if I’m paid salary—does minimum wage apply?

Yes. Even salaried employees must receive at least minimum wage.

Calculate hourly rate: Divide weekly salary by hours worked. If below minimum wage, employer violates law.

Example: You’re “salaried” at $280/week and work 50 hours/week. Hourly rate = $280 ÷ 50 = $5.60/hour, below Pennsylvania minimum wage of $7.25. This violates law (and you’re likely also entitled to overtime for hours over 40).

Can my employer deduct for uniforms?

Only if it doesn’t bring wage below minimum.

Example: You earn $9/hour, work 40 hours = $360. Employer deducts $20 for uniform. Net = $340 ÷ 40 = $8.50/hour, still above minimum. Legal.

But if you earn $8/hour, work 40 hours = $320, and employer deducts $40, net = $280 ÷ 40 = $7/hour, below minimum wage. Illegal.

Do I get paid for breaks?

Depends on length:

  • Breaks under 20 minutes: Must be paid (federal law)
  • Meal breaks 30+ minutes: Can be unpaid if you’re completely relieved of duties

Pennsylvania doesn’t require breaks for adults, but if employer provides them, short breaks must be paid.

What’s Pennsylvania’s minimum wage for servers and bartenders?

$2.83/hour cash wage (tipped minimum), but total compensation (cash wage + tips) must equal at least $7.25/hour.

If tips don’t bring you to $7.25/hour, employer must make up the difference.

Why hasn’t Pennsylvania raised its minimum wage?

Political gridlock: Minimum wage increases require legislation. Pennsylvania’s divided government (different parties controlling House/Senate/Governor at various times) has blocked increases.

Lobbying: Business groups oppose increases, citing potential job losses and business costs.

Neighboring states have increased: New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Delaware all raised minimum wages, leaving Pennsylvania at federal floor.

Pennsylvania vs. Neighboring States Comparison

State Minimum Wage Higher than PA?
Pennsylvania $7.25 Baseline
New York $15.00 ✅ +$7.75
New Jersey $15.13 (indexed) ✅ +$7.88
Maryland $15.00 (phasing in) ✅ +$7.75
Ohio $10.45 (indexed) ✅ +$3.20
Delaware $13.25 (phasing to $15) ✅ +$6.00
West Virginia $8.75 ✅ +$1.50
Virginia $12.00 ✅ +$4.75

Pennsylvania is the only state in the Mid-Atlantic/Northeast region at federal minimum wage, making it less competitive for attracting and retaining workers.

Resources for Pennsylvania Workers

State Agency

Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry:

  • Phone: 1-800-932-0665 or 717-787-4671
  • Website: dli.pa.gov
  • Wage and hour enforcement

Federal Agency

U.S. Department of Labor – Wage and Hour Division:

  • Philadelphia: 215-597-4950
  • Pittsburgh: 412-395-4996
  • Harrisburg: 717-782-4539
  • National: 1-866-487-9243
  • Website: dol.gov/agencies/whd

Free Legal Assistance

Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network:

Philadelphia Legal Assistance:

Neighborhood Legal Services Association (Pittsburgh):

  • Phone: 412-255-6700
  • Website: nlsa.us

Related Topics

Get Help with Unpaid Wages

Think your employer is paying you less than Pennsylvania’s minimum wage? Get a free consultation from an employment law expert who understands Pennsylvania wage laws.

Pennsylvania’s $7.25/hour minimum wage (federal minimum, unchanged since 2009) is among the lowest in the nation. Tipped workers must receive $2.83/hour minimum, with total compensation (wages + tips) reaching $7.25/hour. Understanding your rights and the 3-year statute of limitations for wage claims is critical to recovering unpaid wages.

Disclaimer: The information provided on this page is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Pennsylvania wage laws are subject to change through legislation. For advice specific to your situation, please consult with a licensed employment attorney in Pennsylvania. Employment Law Aid is not a law firm and does not provide legal representation.