Jury Duty Pay in Pennsylvania

About Jury Duty in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania uses a two-tier pay system: $9 per day for the first 3 days (per calendar year), then $25 per day from day 4 onward. The $9 starting rate is among the lowest in the country for short trials, though the increase to $25 for longer service provides some relief. Mileage is reimbursed at just $0.17 per mile — also among the lowest nationally.

How Jury Pay Works

Under 42 Pa. C.S. § 4561, jurors receive $9/day for their first 3 days of service per calendar year, then $25/day for each subsequent day. Mileage is reimbursed at $0.17/mile round-trip. A 2025 bill (HB 1484) proposes raising the rate to a flat $40/day but has not passed.

Philadelphia County

Philadelphia’s First Judicial District mails approximately 549,000 jury summonses annually — one of the largest jury operations in the country — and employs a dedicated Jury Commissioner. About 40% of summoned jurors use SEPTA to reach the courthouse. The county does not provide cash supplements beyond the state rate.

Employer Obligations

Pennsylvania employers are not required to pay wages during jury service, though they cannot penalize employees who serve. This puts Pennsylvania behind states like New York and Massachusetts that mandate employer-paid leave for the first several days. Some union contracts in Pennsylvania — particularly in manufacturing and public sector jobs — include jury duty pay provisions.

67 Counties, 67 Systems

Pennsylvania’s 67 counties each run independent jury operations, creating significant variation in amenities, efficiency, and juror experience. Urban counties generally offer better transit access and facilities; rural counties may have older courthouses but shorter travel distances and easier parking.

How Pennsylvania Compares

Pennsylvania’s $9/$25 rate is modest by national standards. New Jersey uses a similar structure ($5 for days 1–3, then $40) while New York pays $72/day flat. Neighboring Ohio has a $10/day minimum that varies by county. A juror in Matamoras, PA, and a juror in Port Jervis, NY, live in the same border community but face a $47+/day difference in jury pay. Federal jurors in Pennsylvania’s three districts earn $50/day — double the state’s top tier.

Statute: 42 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 4561 — Official source