2014 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.

Workers’ Compensation Rate Schedules

Pursuant to the Workers’ Compensation Act, Section 105.1, the Department of Labor & Industry has determined the statewide average weekly wage for injuries occurring on and after Jan. 1, 2014, shall be $932.00per week. For purposes of calculating the update to payments for medical treatment rendered on and after Jan. 1, 2014, the percentage increase in the statewide average weekly wage is 1.6 percent.

The schedules provided on the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry’s site provide weekly rates from calendar year 2009to 2014. The maximum weekly compensation rate for calendar year 2014 is $932.00. The weekly compensation rate is to be 66 2/3 percent of the employee’s average weekly wage if the average weekly wage falls between $1,398.00 and $699.01. A weekly compensation rate of $466.00 if the employee’s average weekly wage is between $699.00and $517.78. Lastly, 90 percent of the employee’s average weekly wage if his/her average weekly wage is $517.77 or less.