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Pennsylvania Child Support Calculator

Estimate PA guideline child support under Pa.R.C.P. No. 1910.16. Uses net monthly income (after all taxes) for both parents. Includes high-income formula above $30,000/mo combined net, childcare, health insurance, and private school adjustments.

Updated April 2026 Pa.R.C.P. No. 1910.16 Private — runs in your browser
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Paying parent gross before taxes
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Custodial parent gross before taxes
Pennsylvania Child Support (Guideline)
$1,420/mo
Combined Net Income$6,392/mo
Basic Obligation$1,598/mo
Obligor Share63.2%
PA uses net income (after taxes) for both parents. The basic obligation comes from the PA guideline schedule, then split by income proportion.
Advanced Calculator

Full net income breakdown showing all PA tax deductions, high-income cap visualization, support by obligee income chart, and 10-year projection.

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PA Inputs
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Pennsylvania Child Support (Pa.R.C.P. No. 1910.16)
$1,420/mo
Combined Net$6,392/mo
Basic Obligation$1,598/mo
Obligor Net Share63.2%
Obligor Net Income
Gross: $6,000/mo
Fed tax (~22%): −$1,320
FICA (7.65%): −$459
PA tax (3.07%): −$184
Net: $4,037/mo
Obligee Net Income
Gross: $3,500/mo
Fed tax (~22%): −$770
FICA (7.65%): −$268
PA tax (3.07%): −$107
Net: $2,355/mo
Professional Simulator

Detailed income breakdown for both parents, all Pa.R.C.P. 1910.16 adjustments (childcare, health, private school, special needs), custody schedule impact, what-if scenarios, and lifetime NPV projection.

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Obligor Income — Annual: $72,000
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Obligee Income — Annual: $42,000
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Children & Adjustments
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Pennsylvania Professional Child Support Analysis
$1,420/mo
Net Income (Pa.R.C.P. 1910.16)
Obligor gross: $6,000/mo
Obligor net: $4,037/mo
Obligee gross: $3,500/mo
Obligee net: $2,355/mo
Combined net: $6,392/mo
Support Breakdown
Basic obligation: $1,598/mo
Obligor share (63.2%): $1,009/mo
Childcare (63%): +$284/mo
Health ins: +$126/mo
Total: $1,420/mo
% of Combined Net22.2%
Annual Obligation$17,037/yr

How Pennsylvania Child Support Works in 2026

Pennsylvania uses the Income Shares Model under Pa.R.C.P. No. 1910.16. Unlike some states that use gross income, Pennsylvania calculates support based on each parent's net monthly income after taxes and mandatory deductions. Both parents' net incomes are combined to determine the basic support obligation.

2026 schedule update: The Basic Child Support Schedule in Rule 1910.16-3 was amended August 11, 2025 and took effect January 1, 2026 — the first update in four years. Amounts were revised upward to reflect current economic data. The combined net monthly income ceiling is $30,000, and the Self-Support Reserve (SSR) is $1,063/mo (one-person federal poverty level, monthly equivalent). Subdivision (e)(1) governing low-income cases was rewritten as part of this amendment.

Pennsylvania Net Income Calculation

PA net income is gross income minus: federal income tax (based on actual tax brackets), FICA (Social Security and Medicare), Pennsylvania state income tax (3.07%), local earned income tax, mandatory union dues, and other mandatory deductions. Self-employed parents deduct the employer portion of self-employment tax.

The $30,000/Month High-Income Formula

Pennsylvania uses its standard schedule for combined net monthly income up to $30,000. For higher-income cases, the court must determine support based on the children's actual reasonable needs and the parents' standard of living. The schedule amount at $30,000 serves as a floor, and courts use it as a starting point for additional analysis.

Custody and Adjustments

Pennsylvania adjusts support based on the custody arrangement. Primary custody (less than 40% time with the paying parent) uses the standard schedule. Shared custody (40%+ with each parent) applies a separate shared custody formula. Work-related childcare, health insurance premiums, and private school costs are added proportionally by income share.

PA Net Income = Gross − Fed Tax − FICA − PA Tax (3.07%) − Mandatory Deductions
Combined Net = Obligor Net + Obligee Net
Basic Obligation = PA Schedule Lookup (Combined Net, # Children)
Obligor Payment = Basic Obligation × (Obligor Net ÷ Combined Net) + Adjustments

Worked Example

Obligor earns $6,000/mo gross. Obligee earns $3,500/mo gross. Two children. Primary custody.

Obligor Gross$6,000/mo
Taxes (~32.77%)−$1,966
Obligor Net$4,034/mo
Obligee Net$2,352/mo
Combined Net$6,386/mo
Basic Obligation (2 children)$1,597/mo
Obligor Share (63.2%)$1,009/mo
+ Adjustments (63.2%)+$411/mo
Total Monthly Support$1,420/mo
Official Sources & Legal References

Frequently Asked Questions

Pennsylvania Pa.R.C.P. No. 1910.16-2 includes in gross income: wages, salaries, bonuses, commissions, net business income, rental income, Social Security benefits, disability, unemployment compensation, workers' compensation, pensions, interest, and dividends. Courts can impute income if a parent is voluntarily unemployed or underemployed. Means-tested public assistance is excluded. The net income figure is calculated after all applicable taxes.
Pennsylvania uses a separate shared custody formula (Pa.R.C.P. No. 1910.16-4(c)) when the non-custodial parent has 40% or more of overnight custody (146+ overnights per year). The shared custody formula calculates a theoretical support amount for each parent paying the other, then takes the difference. This typically results in a significantly reduced payment compared to the standard primary custody formula, reflecting the actual costs borne directly by each parent.
Yes. Pennsylvania courts order medical support as part of the child support order. The parent who has access to reasonable-cost employer health insurance must provide it. The insurance premium cost is added proportionally to the support calculation. Uninsured medical, dental, and vision expenses are divided between the parents in proportion to their net incomes. Pennsylvania also allows orders for childcare costs to be included in the support order.
Pennsylvania allows modification when there is a material and substantial change in circumstances. Unlike some states, Pennsylvania does not require a specific percentage change or waiting period — any significant change in income, employment, custody, or the children's needs can trigger a review. A common benchmark is a 15-25% change in either parent's income. Either parent can file a petition for modification, and the court recalculates support from scratch using current figures.
Pennsylvania Pa.R.C.P. No. 1910.16-6 allows courts to add the cost of private school tuition, special educational needs, and other extraordinary expenses to the basic support obligation. These costs are allocated between the parents in proportion to their net incomes. Courts consider whether private school was the norm during the marriage, whether the children's educational needs require private schooling, and the parents' ability to pay. The paying parent's obligation for these extras is separate from the basic support amount.

When to Consult a Pennsylvania Family Law Attorney

This calculator produces estimates. Consult a licensed Pennsylvania attorney if your case involves: combined net income above $30,000/mo (high-income formula applies), shared custody near the 40% overnight threshold, self-employment or business income (net income calculation differs), or private school and extraordinary educational expenses under Pa.R.C.P. No. 1910.16-6.

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Not legal or financial advice. This calculator provides estimates based on published guidelines and formulas. Family law varies by jurisdiction and individual circumstances. Always consult a qualified attorney or financial advisor before making decisions. Full disclaimer · Our methodology