Pennsylvania Child Support Guidelines Explained

Pennsylvania calculates child support using the income shares model, which is based on the principle that children should receive the same proportion of parental income they would have received if the family remained intact. The guidelines are set out in Pa.R.C.P. 1910.16 and its subsections, and they apply to all child support cases in the state unless the court finds a reason to deviate.

This article explains how the guidelines work, how income is calculated, how the basic support obligation is determined from the state’s support tables, what adjustments apply, how high-income cases are handled, the shared custody offset, and the process for modifying a support order.

The Income Shares Model

Pennsylvania’s income shares model calculates child support based on both parents’ combined net monthly income. The underlying principle is that both parents share the financial responsibility for their children in proportion to their respective incomes. The basic steps are:

1. Calculate each parent’s monthly net income
2. Combine the two net incomes
3. Look up the basic support obligation in the state’s guideline table based on combined income and number of children
4. Divide the obligation between the parents based on their proportional share of combined income
5. Apply adjustments for healthcare premiums, childcare, and other expenses
6. The non-custodial parent’s share becomes the support order

Calculating Net Income

Under Pa.R.C.P. 1910.16-2, income includes all forms of recurring earnings:

• Wages, salaries, and commissions
• Bonuses and overtime (if recurring)
• Self-employment income
• Interest and dividend income
• Rental income
• Pension and retirement income
• Social Security benefits (excluding SSI)
• Workers’ compensation and disability benefits
• Spousal support or alimony received from any source
• Trust income
• Net gambling winnings (if regular)

Deductions from gross income to arrive at net income include:

• Federal, state, and local income taxes
• FICA (Social Security and Medicare contributions)
• Non-voluntary union dues
• Mandatory retirement contributions required by the employer
• Alimony or spousal support paid to the other party in the current case

Voluntary contributions to retirement accounts, repayment of personal debts, and voluntary deductions are generally not subtracted from gross income.

The Basic Support Obligation Table

Pennsylvania publishes a schedule of basic child support obligations based on combined monthly net income and the number of children. The table covers combined monthly net incomes from $950 up to $30,000. For each income level, the table specifies the total dollar amount both parents should contribute to raising one child, two children, three children, and so on.

Example: If the combined monthly net income of both parents is $7,000 and there are two children, the basic support obligation from the table might be approximately $1,775 per month (exact figures are updated periodically by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court).

The obligation is then divided between the parents based on their respective shares of combined income. If Parent A earns $4,200 per month (60% of combined income) and Parent B earns $2,800 per month (40%), Parent A’s share of the basic obligation is 60% and Parent B’s share is 40%.

If Parent B has primary custody, Parent A pays their 60% share to Parent B. Parent B’s 40% share is presumed to be spent directly on the children.

Adjustments to the Basic Obligation

The basic support obligation from the table covers ordinary expenses — food, clothing, shelter, and transportation. Additional adjustments are made for:

Health Insurance Premiums

The cost of health insurance premiums attributable to the children is added to the basic support obligation and divided between the parents based on their income shares. If Parent A pays $300 per month for a family health plan and $150 of that is attributable to the children, that $150 is added to the total obligation and apportioned.

The parent who carries the insurance receives a credit if their share of the premium cost exceeds their proportional responsibility.

Unreimbursed Medical Expenses

Unreimbursed medical expenses — copays, deductibles, orthodontia, therapy, prescriptions, and other out-of-pocket healthcare costs — are divided between the parents in proportion to their income shares. Many orders specify that the parent who incurs the expense must notify the other parent and provide documentation within a set period.

Childcare Expenses

Reasonable childcare expenses incurred by either parent due to employment, job searching, or education are added to the basic obligation and divided proportionally. The expenses must be for actual childcare, such as daycare, after-school programs, or a nanny. Babysitting for social purposes is not included.

Private School Tuition

Private school tuition is not automatically included in the basic support obligation. However, either parent can request that the court add private school costs if the child was already attending private school before the separation, if both parents agreed to private school enrollment, or if special circumstances justify the expense. The court considers the parents’ financial resources and the child’s needs.

Extracurricular Activities

Costs for extracurricular activities (sports, music lessons, camps) are generally not added to the basic support obligation. However, parents can agree to share these costs, or the court may order a contribution if the activities are long-standing and consistent with the family’s pre-separation lifestyle.

High-Income Cases

The Pennsylvania support table covers combined monthly net incomes up to $30,000 (approximately $360,000 per year combined). When the combined net income exceeds $30,000 per month, the guidelines provide a formula for extrapolation but also give the court discretion to set support based on the children’s reasonable needs and the parties’ standard of living.

In high-income cases, the court considers:

• The children’s actual needs and accustomed standard of living
• The cost of maintaining the children in activities and environments consistent with the family’s lifestyle prior to separation
• The reasonable expenses for housing, education, healthcare, extracurricular activities, and other child-related costs
• Whether the guideline amount at the top of the table adequately addresses the children’s needs or whether an upward deviation is warranted

High-income cases often require detailed evidence of the family’s pre-separation spending on child-related expenses. Courts are cautious about awarding support that functions as a wealth transfer to the custodial parent rather than meeting the children’s actual needs.

Shared Custody Offset

When both parents have substantial time with the children, Pennsylvania applies a shared custody adjustment. Under the guidelines, shared custody exists when the non-custodial parent has the children for 40% or more of overnights in a year (approximately 146 or more overnights).

In shared custody situations, the guidelines calculate each parent’s support obligation to the other based on their respective income shares, then offset the two amounts. The parent with the higher obligation pays the difference to the other parent.

The shared custody adjustment reduces the non-custodial parent’s obligation because they are bearing more direct costs (food, utilities, housing, activities) during their parenting time. The reduction is proportional — the more overnights the non-custodial parent has, the larger the offset.

Example: If Parent A would owe Parent B $1,500 per month under the standard calculation, and Parent B would owe Parent A $600 per month based on the reverse calculation, the offset results in Parent A paying $900 per month to Parent B.

Imputing Income

If a parent is voluntarily unemployed or underemployed, the court may impute income — attributing earning capacity rather than actual earnings. Under Pa.R.C.P. 1910.16-2(d), the court considers:

• The parent’s work history and qualifications
• The job market in the parent’s area
• The parent’s age, health, and any barriers to employment
• Available job opportunities and earning potential

Income is not imputed to a parent who is caring for a child under the age of six, is unable to work due to a disability, or has a reasonable explanation for reduced employment (such as pursuing education that will increase future earning capacity).

Deviation from the Guidelines

Courts may deviate from the guideline amount upward or downward based on factors listed in Pa.R.C.P. 1910.16-5, including:

• Unusual needs or obligations of the parties or children
• Other household income (such as a new spouse’s income, though this is not directly factored into the calculation)
• The child’s age (older children generally cost more)
• Assets and liabilities of the parties beyond regular income
• Unreimbursed medical expenses beyond what the guidelines address
• The best interest of the child

Any deviation must be explained on the record with specific findings as to why the guideline amount is inappropriate.

Modification of Child Support

Either parent can petition to modify a child support order when there has been a material and substantial change in circumstances. Common grounds include:

• A significant change in either parent’s income (job loss, promotion, retirement, disability)
• A change in the custody arrangement that affects the overnight count
• A change in the children’s needs (medical, educational, or developmental)
• Emancipation of one child in a multi-child order, which changes the per-child obligation
• A change in healthcare coverage or childcare costs

In Pennsylvania, child support obligations generally continue until the child turns 18 or graduates from high school, whichever occurs later. Support may extend beyond 18 for children with disabilities that prevent self-support.

For a national overview of how child support is calculated, see our guide on how child support is calculated. For more on modifying support, see our article on modifying child support.

What to Do Next

If child support is an issue in your Pennsylvania case, take these steps:

1. Gather complete income documentation. Collect pay stubs, tax returns, W-2s, 1099s, and records of all income sources for both parties. The accuracy of the support calculation depends on complete income information.
2. Track child-related expenses. Document healthcare premiums, unreimbursed medical costs, childcare expenses, and any extraordinary costs. These adjustments can significantly affect the final support amount.
3. Count overnights carefully. If you have or are seeking shared custody, the overnight count determines whether the shared custody offset applies. Keep a precise record of the parenting schedule.
4. Understand the guidelines before negotiating. Run the numbers using the Pennsylvania support tables so you know what the guideline amount would be. This gives you a baseline for any negotiation or hearing.
5. Consult a Pennsylvania family law attorney. Child support calculations involve nuances — income imputation, high-income extrapolation, deviation factors, and adjustment for healthcare and childcare. Schedule a consultation with an attorney experienced in Pennsylvania support cases to ensure your rights and your children’s needs are protected.

Frequently Asked Questions

What factors are used to calculate child support?

Child support calculations typically consider both parents’ gross income, the number of children, the custody arrangement (parenting time), healthcare costs, childcare expenses, and any special needs of the child. Most states use either an income shares model or percentage of income model.

Can child support be different from the guideline amount?

Yes. Courts can deviate from the standard guidelines in certain circumstances, such as when a child has special needs, when one parent has extraordinarily high or low income, or when the existing arrangement involves unusual expenses. Either parent can request a deviation with proper justification.

How often can child support be reviewed?

Most states allow parents to request a review every two to three years or whenever there is a substantial change in circumstances. Changes that may warrant a review include significant income changes, changes in custody arrangements, or changes in the child’s needs.

What qualifies as a reason to modify child support?

Common reasons include a significant change in either parent’s income (job loss, raise, or new job), changes in custody or parenting time, a child’s changing needs (medical issues, educational expenses), or a change in the number of children the parent supports.