Nurse Salary After Tax Pennsylvania (2026)
Quick Answer
The average registered nurse (RN) in Pennsylvania earns $72,000–$92,000 per year in 2026, with Philadelphia and Pittsburgh metro areas at the upper end and rural central Pennsylvania toward the lower end. After federal income tax, Pennsylvania’s flat 3.07% state tax, local earned income tax, and FICA, most PA RNs take home approximately $54,000–$69,000 net per year.
That works out to roughly $4,500–$5,750/month and $2,077–$2,654 per biweekly paycheck. Pennsylvania has one of the lowest flat state income tax rates in the country — but local earned income taxes (typically 1–3%) in cities like Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and Allentown add back some of the savings.
Pennsylvania offers a unique tax structure for nurses: the state’s 3.07% flat income tax is one of the lowest in the nation, but hundreds of local municipalities levy their own earned income taxes ranging from 0.5% to 3.9%. Philadelphia’s combined wage tax of 3.79% (for residents) effectively doubles the tax burden for city nurses compared to suburban or rural peers. Understanding both state and local taxes is essential for accurate take-home pay planning in Pennsylvania.
Average Nurse Salary in Pennsylvania
Nurse salaries in Pennsylvania vary by region, with Philadelphia and Pittsburgh metro areas offering 12–20% higher pay than rural central and northern Pennsylvania. The table below reflects 2026 W-2 gross salary benchmarks for registered nurses across the state:
| Experience Level | Philly / Pittsburgh | Rural / Central PA |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-Level RN (0–2 years) | $65,000 – $75,000 | $56,000 – $65,000 |
| Mid-Level RN (3–7 years) | $75,000 – $92,000 | $65,000 – $78,000 |
| Experienced RN (8–15 years) | $92,000 – $110,000 | $78,000 – $95,000 |
| Senior / Charge RN | $105,000 – $128,000 | $90,000 – $110,000 |
| Travel Nurse (PA contracts) | $90,000 – $140,000+ | $80,000 – $115,000 |
Philadelphia (including Main Line suburbs), Pittsburgh, and the Lehigh Valley (Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton) offer the state’s highest compensation. Rural markets in central Pennsylvania (State College, Harrisburg, Williamsport) and the northern tier pay 10–18% below metro areas but often provide lower cost of living and better work-life balance.
- ICU / Critical Care RN (Philly/Pittsburgh): $95,000 – $118,000
- Emergency Room RN: $92,000 – $115,000
- Operating Room RN: $90,000 – $112,000
- Labor & Delivery RN: $85,000 – $108,000
- Nurse Practitioner (NP): $110,000 – $145,000
- CRNA (Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist): $170,000 – $220,000
Major Pennsylvania health systems — Penn Medicine, UPMC, Jefferson Health, Geisinger, and Lehigh Valley Health Network — dominate the market and often set salary benchmarks. Union representation through PASNAP (Pennsylvania Association of Staff Nurses and Allied Professionals) and SEIU is strong in Philadelphia hospitals, contributing to competitive wages and benefits.
Take-Home Pay After Taxes in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania nurses face a relatively light state tax burden — just 3.07% flat — but local earned income taxes can add 1–3.9% depending on where you live and work. The total state + local burden ranges from 3.07% (in areas with no local tax) to nearly 7% in Philadelphia.
For an RN earning $72,000 gross (mid-level, no local tax area):
For a Philadelphia resident RN earning $88,000 gross (with 3.79% local tax):
Example Salary Breakdown (Real Numbers)
Let’s break down two scenarios: one for a suburban PA nurse with minimal local tax, and one for a Philadelphia resident nurse to isolate the city wage tax impact.
Scenario 1: Suburban PA RN – $82,000 Gross (1% Local Tax)
| Component | Annual Amount | % of Gross |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | $82,000 | 100% |
| Federal Income Tax (2026 brackets) | – $10,870 | 13.3% |
| PA State Income Tax (3.07% flat) | – $2,517 | 3.07% |
| Local Earned Income Tax (1%) | – $820 | 1.0% |
| Social Security (6.2%) | – $5,084 | 6.2% |
| Medicare (1.45%) | – $1,189 | 1.45% |
| Health Insurance (pre-tax est.) | – $2,400 | 2.9% |
| Estimated Net Income | $59,120 | 72.1% |
Scenario 2: Philadelphia Resident RN – $82,000 Gross (3.79% Local Tax)
| Component | Annual Amount | % of Gross |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | $82,000 | 100% |
| Federal Income Tax (2026 brackets) | – $10,870 | 13.3% |
| PA State Income Tax (3.07% flat) | – $2,517 | 3.07% |
| Philadelphia Wage Tax (3.79%) | – $3,108 | 3.79% |
| Social Security (6.2%) | – $5,084 | 6.2% |
| Medicare (1.45%) | – $1,189 | 1.45% |
| Health Insurance (pre-tax est.) | – $2,400 | 2.9% |
| Estimated Net Income | $56,832 | 69.3% |
On a biweekly pay schedule (26 paychecks/year), the suburban nurse takes home $2,274/paycheck while the Philadelphia resident takes home $2,186/paycheck — an $88 difference every two weeks for identical gross pay and employer.
Pennsylvania Local Earned Income Tax by Region
| Region / Municipality | Local Tax Rate | Annual Tax on $82K |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia (resident) | 3.79% | $3,108 |
| Philadelphia (non-resident working in city) | 3.44% | $2,821 |
| Pittsburgh | 3.0% | $2,460 |
| Scranton | 3.4% | $2,788 |
| Most suburban municipalities | 0.5% – 2.0% | $410 – $1,640 |
| Rural PA (many townships) | 0% – 1.0% | $0 – $820 |
| Philly vs. Suburban Gap | +2.79% | +$2,288/yr |
Pennsylvania’s local earned income tax system is complex — over 2,500 municipalities set their own rates. Before accepting a job, verify both the tax rate where you’ll live and where you’ll work, as you typically owe the higher of the two (with credit given for the lower). Use the PA Department of Community and Economic Development’s municipal tax lookup tool to find your exact rate.
2026 OBBB Act: What Pennsylvania Nurses Need to Know
2026 Tax Law Update — One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB) Act
The One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB) Act introduced new W-2 Box 12 codes effective for tax year 2026. Code TP covers qualified tip income exclusions and Code TT covers qualifying overtime pay deductions. Code TT is directly relevant to Pennsylvania nurses who regularly work overtime shifts.
Pennsylvania does not conform to the federal OBBB Act overtime deduction for state or local tax purposes. This means if your W-2 shows Box 12 Code TT, that overtime income is deductible from federal taxable income only — you’ll still pay the full 3.07% PA state tax and your local earned income tax on all overtime earnings, even if they’re federally deductible.
| Annual OT (Code TT) | Federal Tax Saved | PA State Tax Still Owed | Local Tax Still Owed (Philly) | Net OBBB Benefit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $10,000 OT | ~$2,200 (22% bracket) | – $307 (3.07%) | – $379 (3.79%) | ~$1,514 |
| $15,000 OT | ~$3,300 (22% bracket) | – $461 (3.07%) | – $569 (3.79%) | ~$2,270 |
| $20,000 OT | ~$4,400 (22% bracket) | – $614 (3.07%) | – $758 (3.79%) | ~$3,028 |
| Heavy OT Philly RN | ~$4,400 | – $614 | – $758 | ~$3,028/yr net |
Because Pennsylvania does not conform to the OBBB overtime deduction, nurses working heavy overtime still benefit federally but lose 6.86% (state + Philly local) of the deduction back to state and local taxes. A Philadelphia nurse saving $4,400 federally owes $1,372 in state+local tax on that same overtime income, netting only $3,028 in total tax relief instead of the full $4,400. Suburban nurses with lower local tax rates retain more of the benefit.
How Much Tax Do Nurses Pay in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania nurses face a dual-layer tax system: state + local. Here’s the breakdown:
- Federal Income Tax: Progressive brackets from 10% to 37%. Most PA RNs earning $72,000–$105,000 fall in the 12% or 22% federal marginal bracket after the $15,000 standard deduction, with an effective federal rate of 13–18%.
- Pennsylvania State Income Tax (3.07% flat): A flat 3.07% on all W-2 income with no deductions or exemptions. An RN making $60,000 pays 3.07%, and an RN making $160,000 also pays 3.07%. Pennsylvania does not allow a standard deduction — the 3.07% applies to your full gross income. This is the second-lowest flat state income tax in the U.S. (only Indiana’s 3.05% is lower).
- Local Earned Income Tax: Ranges from 0% in some rural townships to 3.79% in Philadelphia. Most suburban municipalities levy 1–2%. Pittsburgh is 3.0%, Scranton is 3.4%. If you live in one municipality and work in another, you typically pay the work location’s rate (with credit for your residence rate if it’s higher).
- Social Security (6.2%): Applied to all W-2 wages up to the $176,100 Social Security wage base in 2026. Most staff RNs earn below this cap, so the full 6.2% applies throughout the year.
- Medicare (1.45%): Flat 1.45% on all wages with no cap. The 0.9% Additional Medicare Tax applies to income above $200,000 for single filers — reached only by high-earning CRNAs and some senior NPs.
Combined, a suburban PA nurse earning $82,000 with 1% local tax has a total effective tax rate of approximately 25–27%. A Philadelphia resident nurse at the same gross income pays an effective rate of 28–30% due to the 3.79% city wage tax. This is still notably lower than California (30–34%) or New York (31–35%) at the same gross income.
Pennsylvania vs Other States (Take-Home Comparison)
Pennsylvania’s low state tax and moderate local taxes make it competitive with higher-paying states once total tax burden is accounted for. Here’s how a nurse earning $82,000 gross fares across five states/cities:
| State / City | Gross Salary | State + Local Tax | Est. Net Annual | Monthly Take-Home |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PA (suburban, 1% local) | $82,000 | ~$3,337 (4.07%) | ~$59,100 | ~$4,925 |
| Philadelphia (3.79% local) | $82,000 | ~$5,625 (6.86%) | ~$56,800 | ~$4,730 |
| Illinois (4.95% flat) | $82,000 | ~$4,059 (4.95%) | ~$58,800 | ~$4,900 |
| New York (upstate, 5.7% eff.) | $82,000 | ~$4,674 (5.7%) | ~$58,100 | ~$4,840 |
| Texas (no state tax) | $82,000 | $0 | ~$60,500 | ~$5,040 |
| PA Suburban Advantage | PA suburban nurses net nearly same as Texas at same gross salary | -$115/mo | ||
Suburban Pennsylvania nurses come remarkably close to Texas take-home pay — the 4.07% combined tax (3.07% state + 1% local) is low enough that the gap is just $1,400/year or $115/month at $82,000 gross. Philadelphia nurses give back more to local taxes, but still net more than comparable nurses in Illinois or upstate New York at identical gross salaries.
Factors That Affect Your Take-Home Pay
Your actual Pennsylvania nurse paycheck depends on multiple variables beyond base salary. These factors can significantly swing your net pay:
- Municipality of Residence and Work: The single biggest variable in PA. Living in Philadelphia costs $2,288/year more in local tax than a 1% suburban township at $82,000 gross. Working in the city but living in the suburbs reduces the gap slightly (you pay 3.44% non-resident rate vs. 3.79% resident rate).
- Filing Status: Married filing jointly reduces federal tax significantly. A married PA nurse household with two earners of $80,000 each can save $5,000–$8,000/year in combined federal taxes versus two single filers at the same total income. Pennsylvania’s flat 3.07% state tax doesn’t change based on filing status.
- OBBB Act Code TT (Overtime): Qualifying overtime reported as Box 12 Code TT is deductible from federal taxable income under the 2026 OBBB Act — but Pennsylvania does not conform, so you still pay full state (3.07%) and local tax on all overtime. The net benefit is still meaningful ($1,500–$3,000/year for heavy OT nurses) but smaller than in conforming states like Illinois.
- 401(k) / 403(b) Contributions: Pre-tax retirement contributions reduce federal taxable income but do not reduce Pennsylvania state or local taxable income. Pennsylvania is one of the few states that does not allow 401(k) deductions from state tax — your full gross W-2 is subject to the 3.07% rate regardless of retirement contributions. This makes PA less favorable for retirement savers compared to most other states.
- Shift Differentials: Night, weekend, and holiday differentials are fully taxable and add $5,000–$12,000/year to gross. In suburban PA’s combined ~25% effective tax rate, approximately $1,250–$3,000 of that differential goes to taxes. In Philadelphia’s ~28% combined rate, roughly $1,400–$3,360 goes to taxes.
- Health Insurance Premiums: Pre-tax employer health insurance premiums reduce federal taxable income but not Pennsylvania state or local taxable income. You still pay the full 3.07% state + local rate on your gross W-2 before health deductions. This is another area where PA’s tax treatment is less favorable than most states.
- Union Dues: PASNAP and SEIU union dues are typically $700–$1,300/year and are deducted post-tax. However, union contracts at Penn Medicine, UPMC, Jefferson, and Geisinger often secure employer-paid health insurance, defined-benefit pensions (5–7% employer contributions), and guaranteed step increases that more than offset the cost.
- Travel Nursing Stipends: Travel nurses on PA contracts receive both taxable hourly pay and non-taxable housing/meal stipends. Stipends (often $1,400–$2,600/week) are completely tax-free for federal, state, and local purposes if you maintain a tax home outside the assignment area.
- Signing Bonuses: Many Pennsylvania hospitals offer $3,000–$12,000 signing bonuses in 2026. Bonuses are withheld at 22% federal, plus full PA state (3.07%) and local tax. If your annual income puts you in the 12% federal bracket at filing, you’ll receive a refund of the over-withheld federal amount.
Calculate Your Exact Pennsylvania Nurse Take-Home Pay
Your specific paycheck depends on your gross, filing status, municipality (for local tax), benefit elections, and overtime. Use these tools for a precise estimate:
- SmartAsset Pennsylvania Paycheck Calculator – Allows you to input your municipality for automatic local tax calculation; handles PA’s unique no-deduction state tax correctly
- PaycheckCity.com (Pennsylvania) – Includes fields for local earned income tax rate; allows pre-tax benefit inputs (though remember these don’t reduce PA state/local tax)
- ADP Salary Paycheck Calculator – Works for hourly and salaried inputs; good for modeling different overtime scenarios
- PA Department of Community & Economic Development Tax Lookup – Official tool to find your exact local earned income tax rate by municipality
For OBBB Act Code TT (overtime) deductions, use tax filing software that supports Box 12 Code TT for free. Be aware the deduction only applies to your federal return — Pennsylvania does not conform, so you’ll need to add it back when calculating PA state and local tax if your software doesn’t automatically handle Pennsylvania’s non-conformity.
Estimates based on 2026 federal tax brackets and Pennsylvania’s 3.07% flat income tax. OBBB Act Code TT (overtime deduction) applies to federal tax only; Pennsylvania does not conform. Local earned income tax rates vary by municipality (0%–3.79%). Pennsylvania does not allow 401(k) or health insurance deductions from state/local taxable income. Individual results vary by filing status, municipality, and employer benefits. Consult a licensed CPA or tax professional for personalized advice. All figures are approximate and for educational purposes only.