Labor Rights in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania remains at the federal $7.25 minimum wage, the lowest in this group, with no statewide paid sick leave and no state paid family leave program. Worker protections are mostly the federal baseline plus a public policy exception to at-will employment and meal breaks for minors. Note that some cities, including Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, have local paid sick leave ordinances.
Data last verified 2026-10-12
Workplace rights in Pennsylvania at a glance
| Minimum wage (2026) | $7.25 per hour. Pennsylvania tracks the federal minimum wage and has no higher state rate. |
|---|---|
| Tipped minimum wage (2026) | $2.83 per hour cash wage. Maximum tip credit is $4.42; if tips plus cash wage do not reach $7.25 per hour, the employer must make up the difference. |
| Overtime | 1.5 times the regular rate after 40 hours in a workweek, consistent with federal FLSA. No daily overtime rule. |
| Paid sick leave | No statewide mandate. Philadelphia and Pittsburgh have local paid sick leave ordinances; check local rules if you work in those cities. |
| Paid family and medical leave | No state program. Workers rely on the federal FMLA (up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave). |
| Meal breaks | No state requirement for adult employees. Employees ages 14 to 17 must receive a 30-minute break for every 5 hours worked. |
| Rest breaks | No state requirement beyond federal. |
| Right-to-work law | No |
| At-will employment | Public policy exception recognized; implied contract and good-faith covenant generally not recognized. Confirm with your state labor department. |
| Final paycheck | Due on the next scheduled payday under the Wage Payment and Collection Law. |
How Pennsylvania compares to federal law
Pennsylvania uses the federal minimum wage of $7.25 an hour, with no higher state rate. Overtime follows the federal Fair Labor Standards Act: time-and-a-half after 40 hours in a workweek. There is no state paid sick leave or paid family leave mandate, so the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (unpaid leave for eligible workers) is the only baseline.
Neighboring states
- New York$17.00 minimum wage, paid sick leave yes, right-to-work no.
- New Jersey$15.92 minimum wage, paid sick leave yes, right-to-work no.
- Delaware$15.00 minimum wage, paid sick leave no, right-to-work no.
- Maryland$15.00 minimum wage, paid sick leave yes, right-to-work no.
Compare all 50 states and DC side by side
Workplace laws change. This summary reflects state law as verified on 2026-10-12; confirm details with your state labor department before acting on it.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum wage in Pennsylvania in 2026?
$7.25 per hour. Pennsylvania follows the federal rate with no higher state minimum.
Does Pennsylvania have paid sick leave?
No statewide mandate, but Philadelphia and Pittsburgh have local paid sick leave ordinances.
Is Pennsylvania a right-to-work state?
No. Pennsylvania is not a right-to-work state.
When must my final paycheck be paid in Pennsylvania?
On the next scheduled payday.