Pennsylvania uses income shares to set child support, not a flat percentage
Pennsylvania calculates child support by taking both parents' gross income, applying a standard percentage based on how many children need support, and then dividing the total obligation between parents according to their income shares. The state does not use a simple percentage of one parent's income. Instead, it treats child support as a shared responsibility split by how much each parent earns.
The calculation starts with combined parental income. Both parents report their gross monthly income — wages, self-employment earnings, bonuses, rental income, and other sources. The state then looks up a table based on the number of children and the combined income to find the total monthly obligation. That obligation is then split between parents based on each parent's percentage of the combined income.
This method means a parent earning 60% of the combined income pays roughly 60% of the total obligation, and the other parent pays 40%. The actual amount each parent owes depends on custody arrangement — the parent without primary custody typically pays the parent with primary custody, though both parents can owe support in shared custody situations.
Key Takeaways
- Pennsylvania calculates child support by combining both parents' gross income, looking up the total obligation on an income-shares table, and dividing it by each parent's income percentage.
- The income-shares percentages are 17% for one child, 25% for two children, 29% for three children, 31% for four children, and 32% for five or more children of the combined parental income.
- Gross income includes wages, self-employment earnings, bonuses, rental income, and other sources, but excludes means-tested benefits like TANF or SSI.
- The parent without primary custody usually pays the parent with primary custody, but in shared custody arrangements both parents may owe support to each other.
- Child support orders can be modified if either parent's income changes by 10% or more, or if custody changes.
What counts as income for child support purposes
Pennsylvania's definition of income for child support is broad. It includes W-2 wages, self-employment net income, bonuses, commissions, overtime, rental income, interest and dividend income, Social Security benefits (except SSI), workers' compensation, unemployment benefits, and income from pensions or annuities. It also includes the value of non-cash benefits like housing or food provided by an employer.
Income does not include means-tested public benefits such as Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), food stamps, or Medicaid. It also excludes child support or alimony received from another relationship, though child support paid to other children is subtracted from income before calculating the obligation for the current case.
If a parent is self-employed or has irregular income, the court may average income over a period of time or use tax returns to determine a reasonable monthly figure. If a parent is unemployed or underemployed, the court may impute income — assign an income level based on work history, education, or earning capacity — rather than accept zero income as the basis for calculation.
The income-shares percentages and income cap
Once combined parental income is determined, Pennsylvania applies a fixed percentage based on the number of children. These percentages are set by state law and do not change:
| Number of Children | Percentage of Combined Income |
|---|---|
| 1 child | 17% |
| 2 children | 25% |
| 3 children | 29% |
| 4 children | 31% |
| 5 or more children | 32% |
Pennsylvania has an income cap: the percentages apply only to combined parental income up to a threshold amount. As of 2024, that cap is $16,000 per month in combined income. If combined income exceeds the cap, the court calculates the obligation on the capped amount and then may add additional support for income above the cap, but this is discretionary and depends on the judge's reasoning about the children's needs and the parents' circumstances.
The income cap is adjusted annually, so the exact figure changes each year. You can find the current cap on the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services website or by asking the court handling your case.
How the obligation is divided between parents
After the total monthly obligation is calculated, it is divided between parents based on their income shares. If Parent A earns $3,000 per month and Parent B earns $2,000 per month, their combined income is $5,000. Parent A's share is 60% ($3,000 ÷ $5,000) and Parent B's share is 40% ($2,000 ÷ $5,000).
If they have one child, the total obligation is 17% of $5,000, which is $850 per month. Parent A owes 60% of $850 ($510) and Parent B owes 40% of $850 ($340). In a typical arrangement where Parent B has primary custody, Parent A pays $510 to Parent B each month.
In shared custody situations — where both parents have the children roughly equal amounts of time — the calculation is more complex. Each parent's obligation is calculated, and then the parent with the higher obligation pays the difference to the other parent. For example, if Parent A's calculated obligation is $510 and Parent B's is $340, Parent A pays $170 ($510 − $340) to Parent B.
Adjustments and deviations from the standard calculation
The court can adjust child support above or below the standard calculation if certain circumstances exist. These are called deviations, and they require the judge to state reasons in writing. Common reasons for deviation include extraordinary medical or dental expenses for the child, costs of childcare needed for a parent to work, health insurance premiums for the child, the child's special needs, either parent's other support obligations to other children, and the financial resources and standard of living of each parent.
A parent can also request deviation if one parent has significantly more parenting time than the custody order states, if a parent is incarcerated, or if the child lives with someone other than either parent. The court is not required to grant a deviation request, but it must consider the factors listed in Pennsylvania law and explain its decision.
Child support orders also typically include a provision for health insurance. The court orders one or both parents to maintain health insurance coverage for the child if it is available through employment at a reasonable cost. If neither parent can obtain coverage, the court may order cash payment in lieu of insurance.
When and how child support orders can be modified
A child support order can be modified if there is a substantial and continuing change in circumstances. Pennsylvania law sets a specific threshold: either parent can request modification if income has changed by 10% or more since the order was entered, or if there has been a change in custody or parenting time.
To request modification, the parent files a petition with the court that issued the original order. The court then schedules a hearing where both parents present current income information and any other relevant circumstances. If the court finds that a substantial change has occurred, it recalculates support using the current income and may issue a new order.
Modification requests are common when a parent loses a job, receives a significant raise, changes custody arrangements, or remarries. The process typically takes several months from filing to final order. During that time, the existing order remains in effect unless the court temporarily suspends or modifies it pending the hearing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Pennsylvania count child support I pay to another child as income?
No. Child support you pay to another child is subtracted from your gross income before the calculation begins. If you earn $4,000 per month and pay $300 in child support to another child, your income for this calculation is $3,700. This applies only to court-ordered child support, not voluntary payments.
What happens if one parent is unemployed or refuses to work?
The court may impute income — assign an income level based on the parent's education, work history, and earning capacity — rather than accept unemployment as a reason to pay little or no support. The imputed amount is typically based on minimum wage or the parent's prior earnings, whichever is higher. The parent can challenge the imputation by showing they are genuinely unable to work.
Does the child support amount change automatically when my income changes?
No. The order remains the same until one parent files a modification request and the court issues a new order. You should report income changes to the other parent and consider requesting modification if the change is 10% or more, but the old amount is legally owed until a new order is entered.
How does shared custody affect the calculation?
In shared custody, both parents' obligations are calculated separately, and the parent with the higher obligation pays the difference to the other parent. The more equal the parenting time, the smaller the payment, because both parents are contributing directly to the child's expenses through their own households.
Can the court order support above the income cap?
Yes, but only if the court finds it appropriate based on the child's needs and the parents' financial resources. Income above the cap is not automatically included in the calculation, but the judge has discretion to add it. The judge must explain the reasons for any amount ordered above the cap.