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Pennsylvania labor laws are in place to bring fairness, protection, as well as justice for both the employers and employees. While such labor laws in Pennsylvania are mostly grounded in federal law, states tend to create their own versions.
In Pennsylvania, with its blend of historic heritage and diverse industries, labor laws have been crafted to meet the unique needs and challenges of its workforce. Some of them might be stricter than in other states, while others are fairly lenient, a reflection of Pennsylvania’s singular blend of urbanized cities such as Philadelphia and vast rural areas.
Standard Working Hours
Understanding the nuances of wages and hours in Pennsylvania is crucial for employers and employees. This section sheds light on the state’s approach to wages, overtime pay, and whether pay transparency laws have been established.
Minimum Wages
In Pennsylvania, the state minimum wage is $7.25 an hour, the same as the federal minimum wage. For younger employees, employers are permitted to pay employees under 20 a training wage of $4.25 an hour during their first 90 days on the job.
After 90 days, or when the employee reaches age 20—whichever occurs first—employers must pay the regular minimum wage of $7.25 an hour.
Overtime Laws
PA labor laws overtime requirements are generally consistent with the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Typically, employers must compensate non-exempt employees 1.5 times their regular rate of pay for any hours worked over 40 within one workweek.
The state uses the federal definition of “non-exempt” employees. The majority of salaried employees are required to make at least $684 a week and satisfy certain job duties standards to be exempt from receiving overtime pay.
In addition, Pennsylvania’s Act Prohibiting Excessive Overtime in Health Care ensures that healthcare workers are granted the right to deny work outside their given shifts.
Tipped Minimum Wages
In Pennsylvania, tipped employees have to be paid no less than $2.83 an hour in direct pay. Their overall compensation, however, has to be at least the state minimum of $7.25 an hour. If the tips are not enough to reach this minimum, then the employer has to supplement the employee’s pay to the difference.
To take advantage of the tip credit and apply tips to minimum wage, employers have to obey some guidelines.
Meal And Rest Breaks
As per the Pennsylvania labor laws for breaks , Adult employees in Pennsylvania are not entitled to mandatory rest or meal breaks. Nonetheless, if the employer elects to offer brief rest breaks; typically of up to 20 minutes in duration, such breaks should be compensated under both state and federal statutes.
For workers under 18, Pennsylvania labor laws breaks require a 30-minute meal break if they work 5 or more consecutive hours. This ensures that younger employees receive adequate rest during their workday while balancing labor productivity.
Leave Laws
Granting employees the right to take leave when they need it is vital for their health. While federal statutes set the minimum, Pennsylvania has mandatory rules on leaves of absence, including:
- Medical and family leave for conditions such as illness, childbirth, or adoption.
- Jury duty.
- Military family leave for workers with immediate family members.
- Leave for domestic violence circumstances.
- Public health emergency leave.
Under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), qualifying Pennsylvania employees are provided up to 12 workweeks of unpaid leave each year for specified medical and family reasons.
Pregnancy and Parental Leave
- While Pennsylvania does not have its own Pregnancy Disability Leave (PDL) law, pregnant women are entitled to job-protected leave under the federal FMLA.
- Pregnant workers must also receive reasonable accommodations from employers so they are not discriminated against because of pregnancy, childbirth, or associated medical conditions.
- Pregnant workers who are eligible or who suffer from pregnancy complications may be granted a maximum of 12 weeks of unpaid leave within 12 months.
Paid Sick Leave
Paid sick leave (PSL) regulations in Pennsylvania differ from city to city. For instance, in Philadelphia, employers with ten or more workers are required to give one hour of paid sick leave for each 40 hours worked.
Child Labor Laws
In Pennsylvania, most jobs require a minimum age of 14 to work. Under 14s can work in limited capacities, such as entertainment or newspaper delivery.
- All children under the age of 18 must possess employment certificates, signed and issued by the school district where the child lives, even if they are not enrolled in public school.
- For children under the age of 16, employers are also required to secure written parental consent with specific details regarding approved duties and work hours.
The employers must inform the issuing officer of the work permit of the minor within 5 days of employment. The notification should also contain the minor’s age, work permit number, hours of employment, and regular duties.
| Age Group | When School is in Session | When School is Not in Session |
| 14–15 years | Max 3 hours a school day; Max 18 hours a Monday–Friday week; May work 7 AM – 7 PM | Max 8 hours a day; Max 40 hours a week; May work 7 AM – 9 PM |
| 16–17 years | Max 8 hours a day; Max 28 hours a school week; May work 6 AM – 12 AM | Max 10 hours a day; Max 48 hours a week; May turn down work over 44 hours; May work from 6 AM – 1 AM |
Employee Compensation
In Pennsylvania, employers can only deduct wages from an employee’s paycheck under specified circumstances:
- The deduction is, by law, made available.
- It is mandated by a collective bargaining agreement.
- It is expressly allowed in writing by the employee.
Typical deductions are taxes, Social Security contributions, employee benefit plan contributions, and garnishments ordered by courts.
Wage Garnishments
| Garnishment Type | Limit / Protection |
| Unpaid rent and state taxes | 10% of disposable income |
| Student loans, alimony, federal taxes | Workers making less than 30 times the federal minimum wage are safe |
| Poverty protection | No wage garnishment permitted to anyone living at or below the federal poverty level |
| Consumer debt | Garnishments typically need a court judgment and are limited to certain obligations, such as back rent on residential leases |
These regulations make sure that Pennsylvania workers have enough income for primary living needs while permitting legal wage deductions and garnishments.
Taxes In Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania’s tax code is generally uncomplicated relative to most other states. The tax rate on individual income is a flat 3.07%, although some local governments will also add local income taxes. This combination of taxes gives a direct view of the fiscal burden on residents as well as businesses in the state.
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Curious Minds Also Ask
How many hours can you work in PA without a break?
No breaks are mandated by Pennsylvania law for adult workers; minors are entitled to a 30-minute meal break if they work five or more hours consecutively.
What are Pennsylvania labor laws?
They address minimum wage, overtime, child labor, time off, and workplace protection under federal and state law.
How many sick days are required by law in PA?
No paid sick days are required statewide; some cities, such as Philadelphia, require some employers.
What is Pennsylvania’s payday rule?
Employees are to be paid regularly on a schedule set in advance, usually semi-monthly or biweekly.
How many days in a row can you work without a day off in PA?
No state limit on adult employees; federal law does not limit consecutive workdays for adults.
What are my rights as an employee in PA?
Employees are safeguarded from discrimination, hazardous conditions, unpaid wages, and rights under FMLA and labor laws.
Can you work more than 16 hours a day in PA?
Yes, for adults, Pennsylvania does not limit daily hours, but overtime kicks in after 40 hours a week for non-exempt workers.
Can an employer deny unpaid time off in Pennsylvania?
Yes, unpaid leave is usually at the discretion of the employer unless under FMLA or other protected leave statutes.
Does PA require PTO payout?
No, Pennsylvania does not require payment of unused PTO or vacation time unless negotiated in a labor contract.
Can you be fired for being sick in Pennsylvania?
Private employers may normally discharge employees for illness unless protected by FMLA, ADA, or local sick leave statutes.
Can I work 8 hours without a lunch break in PA?
Yes, adults can work 8 hours without a break, but minors need a 30-minute break after 5 hours.
What is the Act 102 law in PA?
Act 102 shields the employees of certain labor organizations from unfair labor practices and gives them union-related rights.
What qualifies as wrongful termination in Pennsylvania?
Termination is wrongful if it is in contravention of anti-discrimination statutes, retaliation protection, or employment agreements.
Can an employer require a doctor’s note in Pennsylvania?
Employers can indeed ask for a doctor’s note to confirm absences, particularly for sick time or FMLA.
How many bereavement days are you entitled to in PA?
Pennsylvania does not require bereavement leave; it is given only where company policy allows.
Can I be fired without warning in PA?
Yes, Pennsylvania is an at-will employment state, and employers are therefore free to terminate employees at any time with no warning.
Can an employee record a conversation with their boss in PA?
Pennsylvania is a two-party consent state, and recording a conversation without the consent of all the parties is usually illegal.
How many breaks do you get in an 8 hour shift in PA?
Breaks for adults are not mandated by law; breaks for minors should be given a 30-minute meal break after 5 hours of work.
How many sick days are required by law in PA?
There is no state requirement, and some cities, such as Philadelphia, have local sick leave regulations for specific employees.
Is 32 hours full-time in PA?
There is no definition of full-time in Pennsylvania; employers generally consider 30–40 hours per week to be full-time.
Can I sue someone for recording me without my permission in PA?
Yes, there can be civil and criminal penalties against unauthorized recording without consent in the case of two-party consent laws.
Is it legal to have cameras with audio in the workplace in PA?
Video cameras are lawful, but audio recording without consent is illegal under Pennsylvania law
FAQ's
What is the minimum wage in Pennsylvania for 2025?
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As of 2025, Pennsylvania follows the federal minimum wage rate of $7.25 per hour. However, several proposals are under review to increase the rate in the coming years, so employers should stay updated on potential legislative changes.
Are employers in Pennsylvania required to provide paid sick leave?
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There is no statewide paid sick leave law in Pennsylvania. However, certain cities like Philadelphia and Pittsburgh have local ordinances that require employers to offer paid sick time based on hours worked.
What are the overtime rules in Pennsylvania for 2025?
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Employees who work more than 40 hours in a workweek are entitled to 1.5 times their regular rate of pay for overtime hours, as mandated by both state and federal law. Some exemptions apply to salaried and executive-level employees.
What are the meal and rest break requirements for Pennsylvania workers?
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Pennsylvania labor law does not require adult employees to receive meal or rest breaks. However, minors under 18 years old must receive a 30-minute break after five consecutive hours of work.
