How Much Does It Cost to Hire an Employee in Pennsylvania? (2026)
State-specific payroll taxes, workers' comp, and total employer costs in Pennsylvania.
Total Cost at $60K Salary
$65,652
Cost multiplier: 1.09x
SUTA Rate (Mid)
2.34%
Wage base: $10,000
Workers' Comp Rate
1.31%
Has state income tax
Pennsylvania Employer Tax Details
State-specific payroll obligations for employers
| SUTA Rate Range | 0.69% – 9.07% |
| SUTA New Employer Rate (typical) | 2.34% |
| SUTA Wage Base | $10,000 |
| Workers' Compensation (avg) | 1.31% of payroll |
| State Income Tax | Yes |
Example Employer Costs in Pennsylvania
Mandatory employer taxes only (no benefits or overhead)
| Component | $40,000 Salary | $60,000 Salary | $80,000 Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Social Security (6.2%) | $2,480 | $3,720 | $4,960 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | $580 | $870 | $1,160 |
| FUTA | $42 | $42 | $42 |
| SUTA (PA) | $234 | $234 | $234 |
| Workers' Comp | $524 | $786 | $1,048 |
| Total Employer Taxes | $3,860 | $5,652 | $7,444 |
| Total Cost (salary + taxes) | $43,860 (1.1x) | $65,652 (1.09x) | $87,444 (1.09x) |
These estimates include mandatory employer payroll taxes only. Add benefits ($7K-$17K) and overhead (~10% of salary) for full cost.
How Pennsylvania Compares
Pennsylvania's typical SUTA rate of 2.34% is above the national average of ~1.70%.
Workers' compensation at 1.31% of payroll is above the national average of ~1.20%.
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