Department of Labor and Industry Announces 2019 Statewide Average Weekly Wage

The Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry has determined that the Statewide Average Weekly Wage, or the maximum compensation payable under the PA Workers’ Compensation Act, shall be $1,049.00 per week for injuries occurring on and after January 1, 2019.

Under the PA 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 Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation 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.

The following schedule provides the weekly rates for calendar year 2019:

Above $1,573.50 =$1,049.00 (2019 Maximum)
$1,573.50 – $786.76 =66 2/3%
$786.75 – $582.78 =$524.50
$582.77 or less =90%

The maximum weekly compensation rate for calendar year 2019 is $1,049.00.

The second block represents the weekly compensation rate to be 66 2/3 percent of the employee’s average weekly wage if the average weekly wage falls between $1,573.50 and $786.76.

The third block reflects a weekly compensation rate of $512.50 if the employee’s average weekly wage is between $786.75 and $582.78.

The last block is 90 percent of the employee’s average weekly wage if his/her average weekly wage is $582.77 or less.

If you have questions about the amount of workers’ compensation benefits that you should be collecting, please call Gross Law Office to speak to an experienced attorney and learn more about your right to wage loss benefits.