Pennsylvania Child Support Calculator
Pennsylvania's support guidelines (Pa.R.Civ.P. 1910.16-1 to 1910.16-7) split a schedule amount between the parents by their shares of combined monthly net income. A new Basic Child Support Schedule and a $1,255 self-support reserve took effect on January 2026. This calculator follows the Rule 1910.16-4 worksheet for child support, including the low-income test, the shared custody adjustment and child care and health insurance.
Gross income minus taxes, FICA and mandatory retirement
Gross income minus taxes, FICA and mandatory retirement
Out of 365; the parent with fewer overnights pays
After the federal child care tax credit
After the federal child care tax credit
Premium for people the parents must support
Premium for people the parents must support
Estimated monthly child support
Parent A (fewer overnights)
Annual amount
Who pays
| Step | Amount |
|---|---|
| Combined monthly net income | $7,300.00 |
| Parent A income share 68% of combined income | 0.68 |
| Basic child support obligation (schedule) | $1,322.00 |
| Parent A's share of the basic obligation | $898.96 |
| Basic monthly child support | $898.96 |
| Total monthly child support Parent A (fewer overnights) pays | $898.96 |
This is a guideline estimate under Pa.R.Civ.P. 1910.16-1 to 1910.16-7 for informational purposes only — it is not legal advice and not a substitute for the official worksheet or a family-law attorney. Courts can deviate from guideline amounts based on statutory factors, and inputs like income determination or imputed income are ultimately decided by the court.
Pennsylvania child support at a glance
| Model | Income shares (monthly net income) |
| Schedule range | $1,300–$30,000 combined monthly net income |
| Self-support reserve | $1,255 a month |
| Shared custody adjustment | From 40% of overnights |
| Children on the schedule | 1–6 |
| Effective | January 2026 |
Monthly net income
Pennsylvania works from net income: gross income from all sources minus federal, state and local income taxes, unemployment compensation and local services taxes, Social Security and Medicare, mandatory retirement payments, mandatory union dues and alimony paid to the other party. Enter each parent's monthly net income; the calculator does not compute taxes.
The self-support reserve
The self-support reserve of $1,255 a month is the income left to an obligor for basic needs. The schedule is shaded where the reserve applies: if the obligor's income and number of children fall there, the obligor pays the lesser of the schedule amount on their own income and the regular income-shares amount. At or below the reserve, the court sets support from the parties' actual resources.
Shared custody and high incomes
With 40% or more of the annual overnights (about 146 nights), the obligor's percentage share is reduced by their time percentage minus 30%. With equal time, the higher-income parent is the obligor, and the order cannot leave the other parent with more of the combined income. Above $30,000 of combined monthly net income, Rule 1910.16-3.1 sets the obligation at a base amount plus 4.0%–6.3% of the excess, then the court considers the children's reasonable needs.
Frequently asked questions
Does Pennsylvania use gross or net income for child support?
Net income. The guidelines start from gross income from all sources and subtract only income taxes, FICA, non-voluntary retirement payments, mandatory union dues and alimony paid to the other party, then apply the schedule to the parents' combined monthly net income.
How does shared custody change Pennsylvania child support?
When the children spend 40% or more of the annual overnights with the obligor, the obligor's income percentage is reduced by the time percentage minus 30%: a 10-point reduction at 40%, rising to 20 points at equal time. Below 40%, the schedule amount applies without a custody adjustment.
What is the self-support reserve in Pennsylvania?
$1,255 of monthly net income, from January 2026. An obligor whose income falls in the schedule's shaded area pays the lesser of two calculations, and one at or below the reserve has support set from actual resources and living expenses.
Who pays child support when custody is 50/50 in Pennsylvania?
The parent with the higher monthly net income, whoever filed. The lower-income parent cannot be ordered to pay basic child support to the higher-income parent, though both can be ordered to share additional expenses.
What if combined income is above $30,000 a month?
Rule 1910.16-3.1 applies: one child is $3,749 plus 4.0% of combined monthly net income above $30,000, with higher bases and rates for more children. The amount at $30,000 is the presumptive minimum, and the court may adjust for the children's reasonable needs.
Can a Pennsylvania court deviate from the guideline amount?
Yes. Under Rule 1910.16-5 the court considers unusual needs and fixed obligations, other support obligations, other household income, the child's age, the parties' assets and liabilities, uninsured medical expenses, the standard of living and other relevant factors, including the child's best interest, and must state the reason and the facts justifying a deviation on the record or in writing.