Pennsylvania Worker Rights
Pennsylvania follows the federal minimum wage but has its own overtime law, a prevailing wage law, and a law against misclassifying construction workers.
- Pennsylvania
Pay
- Minimum wage: $7.25, the same as federal.
- Overtime: 1.5x over 40 hours a week under the state Minimum Wage Act, which differs from federal law in some details.
- Final pay: by the next regular payday.
- Construction Workplace Misclassification Act: construction workers are presumed to be employees unless strict tests are met.
- Prevailing wage: required on public works over a set amount.
Breaks and leave
- No state law requiring meal or rest breaks for adults.
- No statewide paid sick leave law, but Philadelphia and Pittsburgh require paid sick leave.
Unions and right-to-work
Pennsylvania is not a right-to-work state, so a union contract can require covered workers to pay at least a fee for representation. Private-sector workers have the right to organize under federal law. See Your Right to Organize.
Where to file
- Unpaid wages and overtime: Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry, Bureau of Labor Law Compliance.
- Discrimination and harassment: Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission (PHRC), or the U.S. EEOC.
- Safety: Federal OSHA covers private employers. See Pennsylvania safety rules.
- Work injuries: report the injury to your employer right away, in writing, and follow up with Pennsylvania’s workers’ compensation agency. See Workers’ Compensation.
Check current rules: this is a summary. Wage rates and labor laws change often, usually on January 1 or July 1, and cities and counties can add their own rules. Confirm details with the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry before acting. Federal protections apply too. See Where to Get Help.
Standards & references
Last updated: