Pennsylvania Child Support Calculations

By Christie Nicholson, J.D. | Legally reviewed by FindLaw Staff | Last reviewed April 28, 2025

When parents divorce or separate, one of the most contentious issues to decide is child support. You can't calculate child support until you have a custody arrangement. Once the parties determine custody, the courts can calculate child support.

In most child support cases, the non-custodial parent (NCP) must make monthly payments. This is because the parent with primary physical custody spends more overnights with the kids.

You must understand how they determine child support because most child support obligations stay in place until the child is 18. If you believe you're experiencing special circumstances, you'll want to raise them during the initial child support hearing.

Here, we'll explain how family law judges in Pennsylvania determine how much child support the NCP must pay each month. We will also explain the rights and duties of the obligor and the obligee.

If you have a child support issue, contact a Pennsylvania family law attorney right away. They can help protect your rights.

Pennsylvania Follows the Income-Shares Model

Pennsylvania calculates child support, like many other states, using the income shares model. The Pennsylvania child support guidelines assume that children will enjoy the same proportion of parental income as they did when their parents were together.

Pennsylvania bases its guidelines on net income rather than gross income. Using the state's child support estimator, you can get an idea of how much child support you'll owe. But you must remember that other factors affect the actual amount of child support you must pay.

The basic child support obligation depends on:

Parents' combined monthly net income
Which parent has primary custody of the children
Custodial schedule
Which parent will pay health insurance premiums
Childcare expenses
Medical expenses
Which parent has the higher income

Whether either party is getting alimony pendente lite

Extra expenses, such as for a special-needs child or private school tuition
The number of children

When the parents go to court to determine child support, the judge considers all these things. After hearing from both sides, the judge decides the amount of child support and the basic child support schedule. The judge then issues the child support order, which is enforceable like any other court order.

PA Child Support at a Glance

You want to seek legal advice because the Pennsylvania statutes can be difficult to understand. The chart below summarizes Pennsylvania's laws on child support calculation.

Statute	231 Pa. Code Rule 1910.16-1
Monthly income	Sources of income include: Wages Salaries Commissions Bonuses Pensions Interest income (estate or trust) Unemployment compensation and worker's compensation Disability benefits and retirement benefits Income from rental property The parents can deduct specific expenses once the court establishes the parties’ net income. Some of the permissible income deductions include: Income tax obligations Mandatory union dues Mandatory retirement contributions Spousal support/alimony
Custodial schedule	Shared parenting time adjustments — Pennsylvania is one of a handful of states that allow adjustments for obligors with at least 40% physical custody. Multiple family adjustments — Pennsylvania's guidelines say the court can reduce a parent's child support obligation if it is more than half of their monthly net income.

Statute

231 Pa. Code Rule 1910.16-1

Monthly income

Sources of income include:

Wages
Salaries
Commissions
Bonuses
Pensions
Interest income (estate or trust)
Unemployment compensation and worker's compensation
Disability benefits and retirement benefits
Income from rental property

The parents can deduct specific expenses once the court establishes the parties’ net income.

Some of the permissible income deductions include:

Income tax obligations
Mandatory union dues
Mandatory retirement contributions
Spousal support/alimony

Custodial schedule

Shared parenting time adjustments — Pennsylvania is one of a handful of states that allow adjustments for obligors with at least 40% physical custody.

Multiple family adjustments — Pennsylvania's guidelines say the court can reduce a parent's child support obligation if it is more than half of their monthly net income.

Disclaimer: State laws are subject to change through new legislation, higher court rulings, and other means. While we strive to provide the most current information, consult a Pennsylvania family law attorney or conduct legal research to verify your state laws.

Talk to a Pennsylvania Attorney About Child Support Calculations

Getting a handle on child support issues is so important because it has a lasting impact on your child's life. If you have questions and concerns about Pennsylvania's child support calculations or other related matters, talk to an experienced child support attorney today.