No one expects to get hurt at work. One minute, you are doing your job like any other day. Next, you are in pain, trying to figure out how to recover—and how to pay your bills. At Mooney Law, we know how confusing and stressful this time can be.
One of the first questions injured workers ask is, “How much do you get paid on workers’ comp?” It is an important question. After all, if you cannot work, your paycheck stops. But life does not.
This blog will explain how wage loss benefits work in Pennsylvania’s workers’ compensation system. We will explain what percentage workmans’ comp pays, how often you get paid, how benefits are calculated, and what to do if something seems off. If you need help protecting your benefits, our workers’ compensation lawyers in Hanover are here to guide you through every step.
What Is Workers’ Compensation?
Pennsylvania’s Workers’ Compensation Act provides benefits to employees who are injured or become ill because of their job. These benefits include:
- Payment for medical expenses
- Wage-loss compensation
- Specific loss benefits (for permanent injuries)
- Death benefits to dependents of workers who die from job-related injuries
As Hanover work injury attorneys, we focus primarily on helping clients secure wage loss benefits—the payments that replace your income while you are too hurt to work. Let us start by explaining how that amount is determined.
How Much Do You Get Paid on Workers’ Comp?
In Pennsylvania, most injured workers receive two-thirds (66 2/3%) of their average weekly wage (AWW). If you made $900 per week before your injury, you would likely receive around $600 in workers’ comp wage-loss benefits.
However, this formula is not quite as simple as it sounds. Pennsylvania sets a maximum and minimum compensation rate each year. In 2025, the statewide average weekly wage is $1,347.00. The rules for how much you are paid depend on how much you earned before your injury:
- If your average weekly wage is between $1,010.26 and $2,020.50, you get two-thirds of your wage.
- If your average weekly wage is between $748.33 and $1,010.25, you get a fixed amount: $673.50.
- If your average weekly wage is $748.32 or less, you get 90% of your wage.
- No one can receive more than $1,347.00 per week, even if two-thirds of their wage would be higher.
These rates are updated yearly based on Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry data. The full compensation rate schedule for 2025 can be found here: PA Workers’ Comp Rate Schedule.
What Percentage Does Workmans Comp Pay?
The short answer is that Pennsylvania workmans comp typically pays 66 2/3% of your average weekly wage. However, depending on your pre-injury earnings, the percentage may be closer to 90% or fall under a capped flat rate. The system’s goal is to balance fair compensation with cost control while giving injured workers enough financial support to get by.
Keep in mind that workers’ comp wage loss benefits are tax-free. That means even though you receive less than your full paycheck, your take-home pay may not be as different as expected.
How Is Average Weekly Wage (AWW) Calculated?
Your AWW is the foundation of how much you get paid on workers’ comp. But calculating it is more complex than just looking at one paycheck. Pennsylvania law requires your AWW to be computed using the highest-earning three quarters of the last four completed quarters before your injury. The wage information comes from your employer’s payroll records.
That includes:
- Your base wages
- Overtime pay
- Bonuses
- Tips (if reported)
- Second jobs (if reported to your employer)
This calculation is often where mistakes happen. If your employer or insurer overlooks certain pay types or makes errors, your benefits could be lower than they should be. If anything seems off, we recommend having a workers’ compensation lawyer in Hanover review the AWW calculation. We have helped many clients secure back pay after discovering their benefits were shorted due to a miscalculation.
How Often Does Workmans’ Comp Pay?
In Pennsylvania, workers’ comp benefits are paid on a schedule that mirrors your regular payroll, usually weekly or biweekly. If you were paid every Friday at work, you should still receive payment on that schedule through the insurance company. Late or missed payments are a serious issue, and you have the right to challenge them.
If your payments stop without explanation or come sporadically, that is a red flag. Sometimes, insurers try to delay payments or terminate benefits without proper notice. When this happens, we fight to reinstate your benefits or file a penalty petition with the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation.
Temporary vs. Ongoing Payments
Most injured workers start receiving “Temporary Total Disability” benefits. These are wage loss benefits paid while you are entirely unable to work. After 104 weeks, the insurance company can request an Impairment Rating Evaluation (IRE) to determine whether your disability is permanent or partial. If your impairment is less than 35%, your benefits may be capped at 500 weeks unless we successfully challenge the result.
We always advise clients to speak to our Hanover work injury attorneys before agreeing to attend an IRE. The results can drastically affect your right to long-term compensation.
What About Partial Disability Benefits?
If you return to work but earn less than you did before your injury—due to reduced hours, limited duties, or lower pay—you may qualify for Partial Disability benefits. These benefits are equal to two-thirds of the difference between your old wage and your new wage.
Example:
- Before your injury: $900/week
- After returning to work: $600/week
- Wage loss: $300
- Partial Disability benefits: $200/week
Partial disability benefits can last for up to 500 weeks in Pennsylvania. However, they are subject to reduction or termination if your earnings improve.
Can I Receive a Lump Sum?
Sometimes, we help clients negotiate a lump sum settlement, known as a Compromise and Release. This is a one-time payment in exchange for giving up your right to ongoing benefits. A settlement can make sense in certain situations, such as when you need money for future medical care, plan to change careers, or want to move on from a long and stressful claim.
We strongly advise against accepting a settlement offer without legal advice. Insurance companies may pressure you to settle quickly for less than your claim is worth. Our Hanover workers’ compensation lawyers evaluate every settlement offer carefully and negotiate to ensure it meets your needs now and in the future.
What If My Claim Is Denied?
It is not unusual for an employer or insurer to deny a workers’ compensation claim. Common reasons for denial include:
- Disputes over whether the injury happened at work
- Allegations of pre-existing conditions
- Claims that the injury was not reported in time
- Accusations of drug or alcohol use
If your claim was denied, you still have options. You can file a Claim Petition and request a hearing before a workers’ compensation judge. We represent clients in Hanover and across Pennsylvania during these hearings and handle all appeals and paperwork on your behalf.
Penalties for Late or Incorrect Payments
Pennsylvania law allows injured workers to seek penalties if the insurer fails to issue timely payments or underpays benefits. The judge can impose penalties of up to 50% of the unpaid amount, plus interest and attorney’s fees.
If your check is late more than once or you believe your benefits are being mishandled, contact us right away. We can help you hold the insurance company accountable and recover the compensation you are owed.
How Long Will Workers’ Comp Benefits Last?
Specific loss benefits for permanent damage to a body part (such as losing a finger, hand, leg, or vision) are paid for a set number of weeks based on the Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Schedule of Losses. (PA Code § 123.202)
Example:
- Loss of hand: 335 weeks of compensation
- Loss of arm: 410 weeks
- Loss of foot: 250 weeks
- Loss of sight in one eye: 275 weeks
Our attorneys will evaluate your case and explain the full range of benefits you may be eligible to receive.
Frequently Asked Questions About Workers’ Comp Payments in Pennsylvania
How quickly will I start receiving workers’ comp checks after getting hurt?
If your claim is accepted, you should receive payments within 21 days of notifying your employer about the injury. Delays beyond that may signal a denial or dispute, and you should contact a workers’ compensation lawyer in Hanover to help resolve the issue.
Do workers’ comp payments cover overtime and bonuses?
Yes. Your average weekly wage (AWW) should include overtime, shift differentials, bonuses, and even income from second jobs if you reported them to your employer. If any of this income is left out, your wage loss payments may be too low.
Can I work while receiving workers’ comp payments?
Yes, but your payments may be reduced. If you return to work in a limited or lower-paying role, you may receive partial disability benefits that make up some of the difference in pay. Reporting earnings during this time is essential to avoid overpayment or fraud accusations.
What happens if my employer says I can return, but am not ready?
You are not required to return to work unless you are medically cleared. If your doctor believes you cannot perform your job duties, you have the right to continue receiving benefits. Do not feel pressured to return before you are ready—speak to an attorney.
Will my workers’ comp benefits end if I move out of Pennsylvania?
No. Even if you move out of state, you can still receive Pennsylvania workers’ comp benefits. However, you must continue to comply with Pennsylvania’s reporting and medical examination requirements.
We Are Here to Help Injured Workers in Hanover
At Mooney Law, getting hurt at work can turn your world upside down. You might be in pain, worried about paying rent or taking care of your family, and unsure of what the insurance company offers. That is why we take every case personally. We fight for injured workers and their families because we have seen firsthand how significant these benefits are.
Whether you are just getting started with a claim or a frustrating dispute, our Hanover work injury attorneys are ready to help. We handle everything from filing paperwork to attending hearings and negotiating lump sum settlements. And we do it with compassion, determination, and skill.
You deserve full, fair compensation for what you have lost. Let us help you get it.
