2018 Pennsylvania Minimum Wage
The 2018 Pennsylvania Minimum Wage is $7.25.
Effective 2018-01-01Source: Wage FAQs (Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry)Verified 2026-08-29
Compared with 2017
Every figure on this page is unchanged from 2017.
| Item | 2017 | 2018 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hourly | $7.25 | $7.25 | +$0 (+0.0%) |
Who it applies to
Employers and employees covered by the Pennsylvania Minimum Wage Act
What changed this year, and why
Pennsylvania's minimum wage for 2018 is $7.25 per hour, matching the federal minimum wage under the Fair Labor Standards Act.
Common questions
- What is the minimum wage in Pennsylvania for 2018?
- The minimum wage in Pennsylvania is $7.25 per hour.
Overtime is paid at one and one-half times the regular rate
The federal minimum wage is $7.25 per hour, but most workers who put in more than a standard workweek are also entitled to overtime pay. Under the Pennsylvania Minimum Wage Act, non-exempt employees must receive overtime compensation at a premium rate for every hour worked beyond 40 in a workweek. This premium is calculated by multiplying the employee's regular hourly rate by one and one-half. For example, a worker earning the federal minimum wage would receive time-and-a-half for each overtime hour. The regular rate includes all earnings such as hourly wages, salaries, commissions, and non-discretionary bonuses divided by total hours worked. Certain executive, administrative, and professional employees may be exempt from overtime requirements, but only if they meet specific job duties tests, are paid on a salary basis, and earn at least a specified weekly threshold. Job titles alone do not determine exempt status, and employers must correctly calculate the regular rate before applying the premium multiplier.
Am I an executive, administrative, or professional employee not entitled to overtime? Most employees in Pennsylvania must be paid overtime compensation. Overtime compensation is one and one-half times the employee's regular rate of pay for every hour worked over 40 per week.
Wage FAQs (Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry)
Who to ask about this rate, and where to take a wage complaint
Workers who believe they have not been paid the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour or who have not received proper overtime compensation should file a wage claim with the Department of Labor & Industry. Claims should be filed within two years from the date the work was actually performed, though filing as soon as possible is strongly recommended. The Department's ability to collect unpaid wages weakens over time because employers are only required to keep payroll records for three years. Once a claim is filed, the Department reviews the evidence and may refuse to accept the claim if it lacks sufficient documentation or if the claim is not valid under applicable wage laws. Workers should gather pay stubs, time records, and any other documentation supporting their claim before filing. The Department investigates valid claims and can pursue collection of unpaid wages on behalf of affected employees.
How much Time Do I Have to File A Claim after Termination? If you were not paid at least the minimum wage or you were not paid correctly for your overtime hours, you should try to file a wage claim within two years from the date the work was actually performed.
Wage FAQs (Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry)
What an employer may deduct from your pay
Employers may make certain deductions from employee paychecks, but these deductions are subject to important restrictions under federal wage law. An employer can deduct amounts for things like loan repayments or third-party debts if the employee provides written authorization, and tax-related deductions are always required. However, employers cannot require employees to sign blanket authorizations at the time of hiring that cover all future deductions without specific approval for each one. Most importantly, deductions generally cannot reduce an employee's gross pay below the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour, and any deductions made must be primarily for the employee's benefit rather than the employer's. This protection ensures that workers receive at least the minimum wage for their labor, even when they have agreed to payroll deductions for uniforms, equipment, or other items. Employers who violate these rules may be required to pay back wages and face penalties.
It is not valid to sign a "blanket" authorization at the time of hire to cover any future deductions. Further, as a rule, deductions cannot reduce your gross pay below minimum wage, and the deductions must be for the employee's benefit. What Kind of Information is My Employer Supposed to Put on My Pay Stub?
Wage FAQs (Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry)
How each figure was verified
Each number below was read from a stored copy of the document named beside it, and checked to occur word for word in the quoted sentence. The digest is of that stored text.
Wage FAQs (Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry)
- Hourly
What is the Minimum Wage in Pennsylvania? The minimum wage in Pennsylvania is $7.25 per hour.
Other years
Every Pennsylvania Minimum Wage year · Minimum Wage in every state