Pennsylvania employment laws for employers: what to check before you hire
Pennsylvania and US federal rules, as of 31 October 2026. Every fact below was read on the official page linked in the Sources list on 31 October 2026. Laws change; check the official source.
Pennsylvania's minimum wage is $7.25 per hour, the same as the federal rate, according to the state Department of Labor & Industry. Employers owe overtime at one and a half times the straight-time rate for hours over 40 in a week, and final wages by the next scheduled payday.
At a glance
- Minimum wage: see the next section; local rates can be higher.
- Overtime: federal rule applies; state rules noted where we could open them.
- Final pay, pay frequency, E-Verify and new hire reporting: stated only where an official source opened.
- A topic marked "not stated" is not a finding that no rule exists. It means we could not confirm it.
What is the minimum wage in Pennsylvania?
The Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry wage FAQ says the minimum wage in Pennsylvania is $7.25 per hour. The DOL state table (updated July 1, 2026) lists Pennsylvania at $7.25. The state page shows no publication date; its footer reads "Copyright 2026 Commonwealth of Pennsylvania".
What are the overtime basics?
The state FAQ says overtime compensation is one and a half times the employee's straight time rate of pay. Most employees must receive it for hours over 40 in a week, though some executive, administrative or professional employees may be exempt if they meet duty, salary and pay requirements. It says compensatory time off in place of overtime pay is not legal. The page notes that federal law may differ and the more restrictive rule applies.
When is the final paycheck due in Pennsylvania?
The state wage FAQ says that if you quit your job, are laid off or are fired, your employer must pay you all monies earned by the next scheduled pay day.
How often must Pennsylvania employers pay?
The state wage FAQ page does not state a required pay frequency. It says employers must give a pay stub each pay period. For pay frequency, check the Wage Payment and Collection Law text or the Department of Labor & Industry.
Does Pennsylvania require E-Verify?
We could not open an official source for this topic on 31 October 2026, so no rule is stated here. Check the state labor department before you rely on anything for it. The federal E-Verify employers page (last updated 02/20/2024) did not list state requirements when we opened it, so confirm any state mandate on the state's own site. For the federal Form I-9, see the I-9 and E-Verify checklist. The E-Verify by state page lists what we could confirm across the ten states.
What is new hire reporting in Pennsylvania?
We could not open an official source for this topic on 31 October 2026, so no rule is stated here. Check the state labor department before you rely on anything for it.
A practical tip for Pennsylvania employers
Do not offer compensatory time off in place of overtime pay. The state FAQ says it is not legal.
Employer checklist
- Confirm the work location, because state and local rules follow the place of work.
- Check the minimum wage for the state and the city or county, and note the date you checked.
- Set the payroll schedule against the pay frequency rule, and the offboarding checklist against the final pay rule.
- Check whether E-Verify applies to your employee count, and keep the federal I-9 file either way.
- Report each new hire on time and keep proof of submission.
- Re-read the official pages each quarter and after any announced rule change.
FAQ
What is the Pennsylvania minimum wage? $7.25 per hour, per the state Department of Labor & Industry wage FAQ.
When must I pay final wages in Pennsylvania? By the next scheduled payday, whether the employee quit, was laid off or was fired, per the state FAQ.
Can I give comp time instead of overtime? The state FAQ says compensatory time off in place of overtime pay is not legal.
Where can I compare states? See the employment laws by state hub, the minimum wage by state table and the final paycheck laws by state page.
Next step: use this checklist with the how to hire an employee guide.
Related guides
Sources
- Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry, Wage FAQs (no date shown): https://www.pa.gov/en/agencies/dli/resources/compliance-laws-and-regulations/labor-management-relations/pennsylvania-s-minimum-wage-act/wage-faqs.html (accessed 31 October 2026)
- US DOL, State Minimum Wage Laws (updated July 1, 2026): https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/minimum-wage/state (accessed 31 October 2026)
This is general information, not legal, tax or immigration advice. Rules change and your situation may differ. Consult a licensed attorney or qualified adviser.