How Pennsylvania compares
Ranked against the other 49 states on the figures we hold. Rates that combine state and local components — sales tax, the minimum wage where it varies by region — are shown on this page but not ranked, because a single number would misstate them.
| Figure | PA | Nationally | In its region |
|---|---|---|---|
| PopulationUS Census Bureau, Vintage 2025 estimates, July 1, 2025 | 13,059,432 | 5th highest of 50 | 2 of 11 |
| GDP ($bn)Bureau of Economic Analysis, 2025 | 1056 | 6th highest of 50 | 2 of 11 |
| Median household incomeUS Census Bureau, ACS 2024 1-year, 2024 | $77,545 | 27th highest of 50 | 10 of 11 |
| Unemployment rateBureau of Labor Statistics, LAUS (seasonally adjusted, preliminary), September 2026 | 3.6% | tied 20th lowest of 50 | 4 of 11 |
| Foreign-born shareUS Census Bureau, ACS 2024 1-year, 2024 | 8.3% | 25th highest of 50 | 8 of 11 |
| Property tax ratechecked Nov 2026; confirm with the Pennsylvania legislature | 1.36% | 38th lowest of 50 | 5 of 11 |
| Deposit return window (days)checked Nov 2026; confirm with the Pennsylvania legislature | 30 | tied 15th lowest of 50 | 5 of 11 |
| Eviction notice (days)checked Nov 2026; confirm with the Pennsylvania legislature | 10 | tied 13th highest of 50 | 8 of 11 |
| Final pay deadline (days)checked Nov 2026; confirm with the Pennsylvania legislature | 0 | tied 1st lowest of the 29 states that set one | 1 of 7 |
- State income tax: yes41 of 50 states answer the same way
- At-will employment: yesthe same in all 50 states — it does not set Pennsylvania apart
- Paid sick leave required: no30 of 50 states answer the same way
- Paid family leave: no38 of 50 states answer the same way
- Workers' comp required: yes49 of 50 states answer the same way
- Rent control permitted: no46 of 50 states answer the same way
- Annual report required: yes43 of 50 states answer the same way
Statistical figures: US Census Bureau, Vintage 2025 estimates (July 1, 2025) · US Census Bureau, ACS 2024 1-year (2024) · Bureau of Economic Analysis (2025) · Bureau of Labor Statistics, LAUS (seasonally adjusted, preliminary) (September 2026) · SBA Office of Advocacy, 2025 Small Business Profiles (2025). Tax, wage, business and tenancy figures are recorded from state sources and were last checked on 2026-11-05 — confirm anything you are about to act on with the Pennsylvania legislature.
What's changing in Pennsylvania
Enacted changes with a fixed effective date. Contracts, payroll and leases signed now may run past these dates.
Coming up
- January 1, 2027Unfiled annual reports lead to administrative dissolution
The $7 annual report (due by September 30 for LLCs) began in 2025; from reports due in 2027, entities that miss it are dissolved six months after the due date.
Source ↗
Checked against official sources on 2026-11-05.
How long you have in Pennsylvania
The periods that decide whether something is on time. Days are calendar days unless the underlying rule says otherwise.
- Return a security deposit within
- 30 days
- Eviction notice before filing
- 10 days
- Final paycheck within
- 0 days
- LLC formation processed in
- 3-5 business days
- Annual report due
- September 30
- Overtime starts after
- 40 hrs/week
AI Legal Insights — Pennsylvania
AI-generated · Updated July 2026
Pennsylvania operates under a dual court system consisting of local courts and the Commonwealth's unified judicial system, including the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania. The state is known for its robust consumer protection laws enforced by the Office of Attorney General and specific statutes governing landlord-tenant relations.
The state offers a diverse economy with strong sectors in healthcare, manufacturing, and energy, particularly in the Marcellus Shale region. While the flat income tax is relatively simple, businesses must navigate various local municipal taxes and a regulatory environment that varies significantly between Philadelphia and rural counties.
Pennsylvania hosts a diverse immigrant population, with significant communities in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. While the state does not have statewide sanctuary laws, many local municipalities have adopted specific policies regarding immigrant services and local law enforcement cooperation.
- ›Ensure all contracts involving real estate comply with the Pennsylvania Statute of Frauds, which requires certain agreements to be in writing.
- ›Be mindful of the Pennsylvania Uniform Consumer Protection Law (UCPL) when drafting consumer-facing agreements to avoid claims of unfair or deceptive practices.
- ›Specify whether disputes will be settled in state or federal court, noting that Pennsylvania has distinct jurisdictional rules for its various judicial districts.
AI-generated insights · Verify with a licensed attorney before relying on this information.
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Employment Laws
Pennsylvania labor regulations
Pennsylvania is an at-will employment state. The minimum wage remains the federal $7.25/hr, and there is no statewide paid sick leave or paid family leave law.
| Law | PA Rule | Federal Floor |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Wage | $7.25/hr (matches federal; unchanged since July 24, 2009; no state increase enacted) | $7.25/hr |
| Overtime | After 40 hrs/week at 1.5× the regular rate; PA rules largely mirror the FLSA | FLSA: after 40 hrs/week at 1.5x regular rate |
| Paid Sick Leave | No state mandate; Philadelphia and Pittsburgh have local paid sick leave ordinances (Philadelphia: 1 hr per 40 hrs worked, up to 40 hrs/yr) | No federal mandate |
| Paid Family Leave | No state program | FMLA: up to 12 weeks unpaid for qualifying employers |
| Workers' Compensation | Required for virtually all employers with employees, including part-time workers | Federal employees covered under FECA |
| At-Will Employment | Yes — employer or employee may end employment at any time for any lawful reason | Default nationwide; federal anti-discrimination laws apply |
| Final Paycheck | By the next regular payday following separation | No federal requirement |
| Meal & Rest Breaks | Minors (under 18): 30-min break after 5 consecutive hours; no requirement for adults | No federal adult break requirement; short breaks (up to 20 min) must be paid |
| Anti-Discrimination Coverage | Pennsylvania Human Relations Act applies to employers with 4 or more employees | Title VII: employers with 15+ employees |
- Philadelphia and Pittsburgh require employers to provide paid sick leave under local ordinances.
- Pennsylvania's CROWN Act, protecting against hair-based discrimination, took effect January 24, 2026.
Sources: U.S. Department of Labor state minimum wage table · state labor agencies (checked Nov 2026)
Landlord-Tenant Laws
Pennsylvania rental regulations
Pennsylvania landlord-tenant law is set by the Landlord and Tenant Act of 1951. Security deposits are capped at two months' rent in the first year and one month after that, and deposits held more than two years must earn interest.
| Topic | PA Rule |
|---|---|
| Security Deposit Limit | First year of the lease: up to 2 months' rent; from the second year on: up to 1 month's rent |
| Deposit Return | Within 30 days after the lease ends or the tenant moves out, with an itemized written list of deductions; a landlord who misses this loses the right to withhold and can owe double the amount wrongly withheld |
| Deposit Interest | Deposits over $100 must be held in escrow; after two years, the tenant is entitled to interest earned on the deposit, minus a small administrative fee |
| Rent Control | No rent control in Pennsylvania |
| Eviction Notice (Non-Payment) | 10-day written notice to quit before the landlord may file in Magisterial District Court (unless the lease validly waives notice) |
| Eviction Notice (Other) | For lease violations or end of term: 15 days' notice for leases of one year or less (or indefinite terms); 30 days for leases longer than one year |
| Habitability | Landlords must keep residential units habitable; after notice and a reasonable chance to fix serious defects, tenants may have remedies such as repair-and-deduct or rent withholding in limited circumstances |
| Self-Help Eviction | Prohibited — a landlord needs a court order, enforced by a constable or sheriff, to remove a tenant |
| Retaliation Protection | State law and local ordinances (notably in Philadelphia) restrict retaliation against tenants for complaints or joining a tenant organization |
Both landlords and tenants have enforceable rights under Pennsylvania law. Document all communications and keep copies of your lease agreement. Use AI review to spot risky clauses before signing.
Starting a Business
Pennsylvania LLC formation guide
Pennsylvania levies a flat 3.07% personal income tax, plus local earned income taxes in most municipalities. The corporate net income tax is 7.49% in 2026 and falls by 0.5 percentage point a year to 4.99% in 2031. LLCs are formed with the Department of State for $125. Since 2025, LLCs must file a $7 annual report by September 30; starting with reports due in 2027, entities that miss it are administratively dissolved six months after the due date.
Step-by-step LLC formation
- 1Choose a business name — must include "LLC," "L.L.C.," or "Limited Liability Company"; check availability with the PA Department of State
- 2File a Certificate of Organization with the PA Department of State online (Business Filing Services) or by mail
- 3Pay the $125 filing fee
- 4Designate a registered office — a Pennsylvania street address or a commercial registered office provider (not a P.O. Box)
- 5Obtain an EIN from the IRS — free at irs.gov (required for banking, hiring, and PA tax registration)
- 6Register for PA state taxes through myPATH — required if you have employees or collect sales tax — and register for local earned income tax withholding
- 7File the $7 annual report with the Department of State by September 30 each year
- 8Obtain required local business licenses and permits from the city or county where you operate
Every LLC also needs a free EIN from the IRS (Form SS-4). Apply online at irs.gov — takes about 15 minutes and is required to open a business bank account.
Popular IRS Forms
Most-filed federal forms for Pennsylvania taxpayers
Fill these out online with plain-English guidance — every field explained, no accountant required. Download as a ready-to-file PDF when done.
The main annual federal income tax return every taxpayer files.
Fill out free →Give your SSN or EIN to a client before getting paid as a contractor.
Fill out free →Report $600+ paid to independent contractors during the year.
Fill out free →Tell your employer how much federal tax to withhold from pay.
Fill out free →Report income and expenses from a sole proprietorship or LLC.
Fill out free →Report payroll taxes withheld from employees each quarter.
Fill out free →Get an automatic 6-month extension to file your 1040.
Fill out free →The year-end wage statement employers issue to each employee.
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Federal Offices
United States government offices in Pennsylvania
Walk-in assistance by appointment only. Call (844) 545-5640 to schedule, or book online at irs.gov.
Immigration appointments via my.uscis.gov or call (800) 375-5283.
Free Legal Aid
Pennsylvania legal assistance organizations
These organizations provide free or reduced-cost civil legal services to qualifying Pennsylvania residents.
Free civil legal help for low-income Philadelphians in housing, benefits, and employment
Free civil legal services for low-income residents in Western Pennsylvania
Statewide network connecting Pennsylvanians to free civil legal assistance
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