Pennsylvania workers' comp: how much does it pay?

Temporary total disability rate, weekly maximum and waiting period for Pennsylvania, read from the state's own published figures.

Pennsylvania temporary total disability at a glance

For injuries from January 1, 2026 to December 31, 2026, Pennsylvania pays temporary total disability at 66 2/3% of the average weekly wage, with a higher rate for lower earners, up to a maximum of $1,394.00 a week. The cap starts to limit the benefit at an average weekly wage of about $2,091.

Benefit rate66 2/3% of the average weekly wage, with a higher rate for lower earners
Maximum weekly benefit$1,394.00
How the maximum is set100% of the statewide average weekly wage
Minimum weekly benefitNo flat minimum: $774.43 or less is paid at 90% of wages; $774.44 to $1,045.50 is paid a flat $697.00
Applies to injuriesfrom January 1, 2026 to December 31, 2026
Waiting periodPennsylvania pays compensation beginning after the seventh day of total disability; if the disability lasts fourteen days or more, the first seven days are also paid (77 P.S. 514).

The workers' comp calculator has no Pennsylvania preset. Its custom mode applies a flat two-thirds rate to the cap you enter and does not model Pennsylvania's tiers for lower earners, so for wages of $1,045.50 a week or less its result will understate a Pennsylvania benefit.

Pennsylvania temporary total disability benefits: the same figures and limitations listed in the text.
A visual summary of the examples below. The text, applicable periods, sources and limitations on this page govern.

What Pennsylvania pays at different wages

Calculated from the rate, maximum and minimum above for an eligible worker with temporary total disability. Above about $2,091 a week, every extra dollar of wage adds nothing to the benefit.

$500 a week$450.00 (90% of wage)
$800 a week$697.00 (87% of wage)
$1,200 a week$800.00 (67% of wage)
$1,600 a week$1,066.67 (67% of wage)
$2,000 a week$1,333.33 (67% of wage)
$3,000 a week$1,394.00 (46% of wage)

How Pennsylvania sets the benefit

Pennsylvania uses three tiers instead of a flat minimum. For 2026 injuries the Department of Labor & Industry lists 66 2/3% of the average weekly wage for wages between $1,045.51 and $2,091.00, a flat $697.00 for wages between $774.44 and $1,045.50, and 90% of the wage at $774.43 or less. Above $2,091 the benefit is capped at $1,394.00.

The tiers mean lower earners are replaced at a higher percentage than the headline two thirds, which the examples below show.

These figures are for temporary total disability only. Partial, permanent and death benefits use different rules and caps, and eligibility, the average weekly wage calculation and the injury date all have to be confirmed with the claims administrator or the Pennsylvania Bureau of Workers' Compensation.

Frequently asked questions

How much does workers' comp pay in Pennsylvania?

For injuries from January 1, 2026 to December 31, 2026, Pennsylvania pays temporary total disability at 66 2/3% of the average weekly wage, with a higher rate for lower earners, up to a maximum of $1,394.00 a week. The cap starts to limit the benefit at an average weekly wage of about $2,091.

What is the maximum weekly workers' comp benefit in Pennsylvania?

$1,394.00 a week for temporary total disability, for injuries from January 1, 2026 to December 31, 2026. 100% of the statewide average weekly wage. The maximum that applies is the one in force on your date of injury, not today.

Is there a waiting period for workers' comp in Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania pays compensation beginning after the seventh day of total disability; if the disability lasts fourteen days or more, the first seven days are also paid (77 P.S. 514).

Are Pennsylvania workers' comp benefits taxed?

Generally not by the federal government: IRS Publication 525 says workers' compensation for an occupational sickness or injury is not included in income, with a narrow exception for amounts treated as a pension based on years of service.

Workers' comp in other states

California · Florida · Georgia · Illinois · Michigan · Missouri · New Jersey · New York · North Carolina · Ohio · Texas · Virginia

Compare all states side by side · Workers' comp benefit calculator

Sources & further reading

Figures read from the official sources below and checked: October 20, 2026. Worked examples are our calculations, not benefit awards.