Cost to hire an employee in Pennsylvania
On top of a $50,000 salary, a Pennsylvania employer pays roughly $4,819 in payroll taxes and insurance before benefits, about 9.6% of wages.
Last verified November 2, 2026. Sources: news.bloombergtax.com, taxnews.ey.com, oregon.gov.
What a Pennsylvania employer pays
| Cost | Rate | Applies to |
|---|---|---|
| Social Security | 6.2% | Wages up to $184,500 |
| Medicare | 1.45% | All wages |
| Federal unemployment (FUTA) | 0.6% net | First $7,000 |
| Pennsylvania unemployment (SUTA) | 3.82% new employer 1.42%–10.37% experienced | First $10,000 |
| Workers' compensation | ~$1.14 per $100 | Varies by job class |
9.2% surcharge and 0.6% additional contributions tax, included in the rates
Total cost at different salaries
| Salary | Employer taxes & insurance | % of salary | Total cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| $35,000 | $3,501 | 10% | $38,501 |
| $50,000 | $4,819 | 9.6% | $54,819 |
| $75,000 | $7,017 | 9.4% | $82,017 |
| $100,000 | $9,214 | 9.2% | $109,214 |
| $150,000 | $13,609 | 9.1% | $163,609 |
Benefits usually cost more than taxes. The BLS Employer Costs for Employee Compensation survey puts benefits at roughly 30% of total compensation in private industry. Add your health plan cost in the calculator to include it.
Pennsylvania vs. neighboring states
| State | SUTA wage base | New-employer rate | Cost on $50,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania | $10,000 | 3.82% | $4,819 |
| Delaware | $14,500 | 1.2% | $4,726 |
| Maryland | $8,500 | 2.6% | $4,533 |
| New Jersey | $44,800 | 2.8% | $6,451 |
| New York | $17,600 | 4.1% | $5,579 |
| Ohio | $9,000 | 2.85% | $4,464 |
| West Virginia | $9,500 | 2.7% | $4,394 |
Frequently asked questions
- How much does it cost to hire an employee in Pennsylvania?
- On a $50,000 salary, employer payroll taxes and insurance add about $4,819 (9.6%), before benefits, for a total of $54,819.
- What is the Pennsylvania SUTA rate for new employers?
- New employers generally pay 3.82% on the first $10,000 of each employee's wages. Experienced employers pay between 1.42% and 10.37%.
- Do Pennsylvania employers pay FUTA?
- Yes. Employers pay 6.0% on the first $7,000 of wages, reduced to 0.6% with the state unemployment credit.