2016 PA Workers’ Comp Average Weekly Wage Announced

According to the Workers’ Compensation Act, injured workers are entitled to indemnity (wage-loss) benefits equal to two-thirds of their weekly wage for a work-related injury. However, there are minimum and maximum adjustments provided in the Act, and the benefit rate is set using the annual maximum in place at the time of injury. The maximum is based on the Department of Labor and Industry’s calculation of the statewide average weekly wage.

Worker’s Compensation Rate Schedules

Pursuant to the Workers’ Compensation Act, Section 105.1 and 105.2, the Department of Labor & Industry has determined the statewide average weekly wage for injuries occurring on and after Jan. 1, 2016 shall be $978.00 per week. For purposes of calculating the update to the payments for medical treatment rendered on and after Jan. 1, 2016, the percentage increase in the statewide average weekly wage is 2 percent.

The schedules provided on the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and industry site provide weekly rates from calendar year 2009 to 2016. The maximum weekly compensation rate for calendar year 2016 is $978.00. The weekly compensation rate is to be 66 2/3 percent of the employee’s average weekly wage falls between $1,467.00 and $733.51 . The weekly compensation rate is $489.00 if the employee’s average weekly wage is between $733.50 and $543.33, and 90 percent of the employee’s average weekly wage if it is $543.32 or less.

You can learn more about the workers compensation system and workers compensation benefits in Pennsylvania by visiting the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation site or exploring our website.