How much does workers' comp pay in Pennsylvania?
- Pennsylvania wage-loss benefits use injury-year wage bands, not two-thirds at every wage.
- Higher wages generally use two-thirds up to the maximum; middle and lower wages follow the official table's flat-rate and 90% rules.
- Use the applicable Bureau rate table and wage calculation.
Official-source review: . General guidance, not legal advice.
Calculate Pennsylvania ordinary total-disability pay
Estimated weekly TTD
$800.00
Assumes full temporary disability and a correct AWW. Does not establish eligibility, apply waiting periods or offsets, or model partial disability.
Pennsylvania permanent-award rules: what actually drives the payout
- A Pennsylvania impairment rating evaluation (IRE) changes disability status; it does not convert each impairment point into money.
- After 104 weeks of total disability, a qualifying IRE below 35% can change status to partial disability, generally subject to a 500-week limit.
- Specific loss of a hand, foot or other listed part is a separate statutory award.
Medical impairment, legal disability and loss of earning capacity are different measurements. Use the established award category and applicable rate before doing dollar arithmetic. Do not borrow a rating from Social Security, the VA or another state.
How to evaluate a Pennsylvania settlement
- A Compromise and Release agreement requires a workers' compensation judge's approval after a hearing.
- It can settle wage-loss benefits, medical benefits, or both as stated in the agreement.
- Medical care does not automatically remain open when income benefits are settled.
- Check the wage worksheet, award classification, rating evidence and unpaid benefits.
- Identify exactly which medical conditions, future treatment and wage-loss rights are released.
- Separate gross value from prior payments, approved fees, liens and other adjustments.
- Review Medicare and Social Security coordination when relevant; a medical allocation is not an automatic settlement multiplier.
Pennsylvania workers' compensation rates by injury date
Dated rate history from official Pennsylvania sources, reviewed . Looking for employer premiums? See workers' comp insurance cost by state.
| Injury period | Weekly maximum | Minimum basis |
|---|---|---|
| January 1 – December 31, 2026 | $1,394.00 | 90% low-wage band |
For 2026: AWW through $774.43 pays 90%; $774.44–$1,045.50 pays $697; higher wages pay two-thirds up to $1,394. These wage-loss bands do not determine specific-loss rates.
Reporting, filing and official sources
- Generally give notice within 21 days to preserve payment from the beginning; notice beyond 120 days can bar benefits, subject to exceptions.
- A claim petition generally must be filed within three years.
- Occupational disease, discovery and prior payments can alter the analysis.
Pennsylvania benefit questions
How much does workers' comp pay in Pennsylvania?+
Pennsylvania wage-loss benefits use injury-year wage bands, not two-thirds at every wage. Higher wages generally use two-thirds up to the maximum; middle and lower wages follow the official table's flat-rate and 90% rules. Use the applicable Bureau rate table and wage calculation.
How do permanent disability benefits work in Pennsylvania?+
A Pennsylvania impairment rating evaluation (IRE) changes disability status; it does not convert each impairment point into money. After 104 weeks of total disability, a qualifying IRE below 35% can change status to partial disability, generally subject to a 500-week limit. Specific loss of a hand, foot or other listed part is a separate statutory award.
Can a Pennsylvania settlement close future medical care?+
A Compromise and Release agreement requires a workers' compensation judge's approval after a hearing. It can settle wage-loss benefits, medical benefits, or both as stated in the agreement. Medical care does not automatically remain open when income benefits are settled.
What are the reporting and filing deadlines in Pennsylvania?+
Generally give notice within 21 days to preserve payment from the beginning; notice beyond 120 days can bar benefits, subject to exceptions. A claim petition generally must be filed within three years. Occupational disease, discovery and prior payments can alter the analysis.
Does Pennsylvania specific loss use the wage-loss benefit table?+
Not automatically. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court's 2025 Jackiw ruling requires a separate Section 306(c) specific-loss rate calculation, including a 50%-of-SAWW floor and the statutory maximum. For 2026 those benchmarks are $697 and $1,394. Specific-loss entitlement and healing-period weeks require separate legal assessment.
What is a 10% impairment rating worth in Pennsylvania?+
There is no automatic dollar value for a 10% whole-person IRE rating. The rating concerns disability status and duration, not a scheduled payout per point. A separate specific-loss award depends on the legally established loss and the applicable rate.
Does a Pennsylvania IRE reduce my weekly check?+
An IRE status change does not by itself recalculate the weekly rate. It can impose the partial-disability duration limit. Other wage-loss or earning-capacity proceedings can change payments separately.
Is Pennsylvania partial disability always paid for 500 weeks?+
No. Five hundred weeks is generally the maximum partial-disability duration, not a guaranteed award. Earnings, medical evidence, status changes and other legal requirements can end or affect entitlement earlier.
Does surgery guarantee a larger Pennsylvania settlement?+
No. Surgery can change treatment costs, restrictions and medical evidence, but there is no automatic surgery multiplier. Permanent disability must be established under the applicable rules. Compare the benefits released and future care needs, not just the procedure name.
Are Pennsylvania workers' comp benefits taxable?+
Benefits paid under a workers' compensation law for an occupational injury or illness are generally excluded from federal income tax. Returned-to-work wages, retirement payments and Social Security offsets can have different tax treatment. Review IRS Publication 525 and seek tax advice for the agreement's allocations.
Can I receive pain and suffering through Pennsylvania workers' comp?+
Workers' compensation generally does not award pain and suffering. A separate claim against a responsible third party may allow different damages, but employer immunity and reimbursement rights need separate legal review.
When should I compare a Pennsylvania settlement offer?+
Compare an offer after understanding the wage calculation, medical condition, permanent-award category, unpaid benefits and rights released. There is no guaranteed settlement timeline. A bigger lump sum may be worse if it transfers expensive future treatment to you.
Where can I verify my Pennsylvania benefit rate?+
Use the official agency resources linked on this page and the written rate calculation in your claim. Injury date, benefit category, wage records and applicable limits matter. An entered rate is not independently verified by this calculator.
These calculations are estimates based on your inputs and general workers' compensation formulas. Actual benefits depend on state law, your specific injury, employer insurance carrier, and other factors. This is not legal advice. Consult a licensed workers' compensation attorney for guidance specific to your claim.