COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

Philadelphia Code tit. 20, ch. 20-300

in effect

Philadelphia Code § 20-301 Payment of Salaries.

§ 20-301. Payment of Salaries. (1) Salaries of officers and employees who are paid out of the City Treasury shall be paid in equal bi-weekly installments. Notes 11 | Source: 1952 Ordinances, p. 167.

Philadelphia Code § 20-302 Fees.

§ 20-302. Fees. (1) Every City officer or employee who is subpoenaed to appear in court to testify as other than an expert witness shall receive his regular salary and shall demand and pay to the City all witness fees to which he is entitled. Notes 12 | Source: 1934 Ordinances, p. 136.

Philadelphia Code § 20-303 Salaries of Specified Officers.

§ 20-303. Salaries of Specified Officers. (1) Except as provided in subsection (2) below, the Mayor shall determine the annual salary of the following officers, not to exceed the maximum annual salary provided for by the Annual Specified Officers Compensation Plan established by the Personnel Director pursuant to subsection (3) below: (a) City Representative; (b) City Solicitor; (c) City Treasurer; (d) Commissioner of Licenses and Inspections; (e) Commissioner of Public Property; (f) Commissioner of Records; (g) Director of Commerce; (h) Director of Finance; (i) Director of Planning and Development; (j) Fire Commissioner; (k) Health Commissioner; (l) Human Services Commissioner; (m) Managing Director; (n) Parks and Recreation Commissioner; (o) Police Commissioner; (p) Prisons Commissioner; (q) Procurement Commissioner; (r) Revenue Commissioner; (s) Street Commissioner; (t) Water Commissioner; (u) Director of Labor; (v) Commissioner of Fleet Services; (w) Director of Aviation; (x) Chief Public Safety Director. (y) Director of Office of Prison Oversight. 13.1 (2) Exceptions: (a) Upon a determination by the Mayor that the Annual Specified Officers Compensation Plan does not provide for a competitive salary based on current market conditions, the Mayor may revise the salary maximum as appropriate for any position listed in subsection (1), and shall provide written notification and justification to Council. (b) The annual salary of the Personnel Director shall be determined by the Civil Service Commission. (3) The Personnel Director shall develop and issue by no later than 90 days after the ordinance adding this subsection to the Code takes effect, and by September 30 of each year thereafter, an Annual Specified Officers Compensation Plan, setting forth a salary for each position listed in subsection (1), to be adjusted annually to maintain market competitiveness and to attract talent. The Plan shall show how the salary levels were established, including by benchmarking and analyzing salaries for market competitiveness for each specific job, taking into account additional forms of compensation, such as benefits, leave time, or bonuses. The Plan shall be effective, each year, immediately upon issuance. Notes 13 | Amended, 1987 Ordinances, p. 1194. Former subsections (1) through (19) deleted, and new subsections (1) through (3) added, Bill No. 1268 (approved December 28, 1995), 1995 Ordinances, p. 1514. See Section 2 of Bill No. 1268 for effective dates and alternative cost of living provisions. Repealed and replaced, Bill No. 200253-A (approved November 13, 2023). Section 2 of Bill No. 200253-A provides: "Until such time as the Mayor sets salaries for positions pursuant to this section, salaries for the positions addressed in this Bill shall be governed by the law in effect immediately prior to this Bill taking effect. This Bill shall sunset three years following the date this Bill takes effect." 13.1 | Added, Bill No. 251099 (approved April 7, 2026).

Philadelphia Code § 20-304 Compensation for Members of Boards, Commissions, Committees and Councils.

§ 20-304. Compensation for Members of Boards, Commissions, Committees and Councils. (1) Plumbing Advisory Board. Each member of the Plumbing Advisory Board shall receive as compensation eighty-five dollars ($85) for each meeting of the Board which he attends; provided, that the total compensation paid to each member in any year shall not exceed five thousand one hundred dollars ($5,100). (2) Board of Building Standards. 15 Each member of the Board of Building Standards shall receive sixty dollars ($60) as compensation for each meeting of the Board which the member attends; provided, that the total compensation paid to each member in any year shall not exceed four thousand five hundred dollars ($4,500). (3) Tax Review Board. Each member of the Tax Review Board shall receive one hundred dollars ($100) as compensation for each meeting of the Board which he attends; provided, that the total compensation paid to each member in any year shall not exceed ten thousand dollars ($10,000). (4) Zoning Board of Adjustment. 15.1 Each member of the Zoning Board of Adjustment shall receive one hundred dollars ($100) as compensation for each meeting of the Board which the member attends; provided, that the total compensation paid to each member in any year shall not exceed twenty-seven thousand dollars ($27,000). (5) Board of Licenses and Inspections Review. Each member of the Board of Licenses and Review shall receive eighty-five dollars ($85) as compensation for each meeting of the Board which he attends; provided, that the total compensation paid to each member in any year shall not exceed six thousand three hundred seventy-five dollars ($6,375). (6) Civil Service Commission. 16 Each member of the Civil Service Commission shall receive one hundred dollars ($100) as compensation for each meeting of the Commission that he attends; provided that the total compensation paid to each member, except the chairman, in any one year shall not exceed seventeen thousand five hundred dollars ($17,500). The chairman shall receive one hundred twenty-five dollars ($125) for each meeting attended, not to exceed a yearly total of twenty-one thousand eight hundred seventy-five dollars ($21,875). (7) Board of Revision of Taxes. 17 Each member of the Board of Revision of Taxes shall receive an annual salary of seventy thousand dollars ($70,000). The Secretary shall receive an annual salary of seventy-two thousand dollars ($72,000).The Chairman of the Board of Revision of Taxes shall receive an annual salary of seventy-five thousand dollars ($75,000). (8) Veterans Advisory Commission. Each member of the Veterans Advisory Commission shall receive thirty dollars ($30) as compensation for each meeting of the Commission which he attends; provided, that the total compensation paid to each member in any year shall not exceed three hundred sixty dollars ($360). (9) Board of Viewers. Each member of the Board of Viewers appointed under Act 6 of the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, approved June 22, 1964, as amended, shall receive an annual salary of fifty thousand dollars ($50,000). Any member of the Board of Revision of Taxes, appointed as a member of a Board of Viewers, shall not be entitled to receive the compensation fixed in this Section but shall receive only the salary provided for a member of the Board of Revision of Taxes. 18 (10) Fair Housing Commission. Each member of the Fair Housing Commission shall receive one hundred dollars ($100) as compensation for each meeting of the Commission which the member attends; provided, that the total compensation paid to each member in any year shall not exceed fourteen thousand dollars ($14,000). 18.1 (11) Commission on Human Relations. Each member of the Commission on Human Relations shall receive one hundred dollars ($100) compensation for each meeting of the Board which he attends; provided, that the total compensation paid to each member in any year shall not exceed ten thousand dollars ($10,000). The Chairman of the Commission on Human Relations shall receive an annual salary of fifty-five thousand dollars ($55,000). (12) Drug and Alcohol Executive Committee. Each member of the Drug and Alcohol Executive Committee shall receive thirty dollars ($30) compensation for each meeting of the Committee which he attends; provided, that the total compensation paid to each member in any year shall not exceed three hundred sixty dollars ($360). (13) Scholarship Advisory Commission. Each member of the Scholarship Advisory Commission shall receive thirty dollars ($30) compensation for each meeting of the Commission which he attends; provided, that the total compensation paid to each member in any year shall not exceed one hundred eighty dollars ($180). (14) Science and Technology Advisory Council. Each member of the Science and Technology Advisory Council shall receive thirty dollars ($30) compensation for each meeting of the Council which he attends; provided, that the total compensation paid to each member in any year shall not exceed one hundred eighty dollars ($180). (15) Spanish Speaking Executive Committee. Each member of the Spanish Speaking Executive Committee shall receive thirty dollars ($30) compensation for each meeting of the Committee which he attends; provided, that the total compensation paid to each member in any year shall not exceed three hundred sixty dollars ($360). (16) Philadelphia City Scholarship Committee. Each member of the Philadelphia City Scholarship Committee shall receive thirty dollars ($30) compensation for each meeting of the Committee which he attends; provided, that the total compensation paid to each member in any year shall not exceed one hundred twenty dollars ($120). (17) Philadelphia Commission on Services to the Aging. Each member of the Philadelphia Commission on Services to the Aging shall receive thirty dollars ($30) compensation for each meeting of the Commission which he attends; provided, that the total compensation paid to each member in any year shall not exceed three hundred sixty dollars ($360). (18) Urban Homestead Board. Each member of the Urban Homestead Board shall receive thirty dollars ($30) compensation for each meeting of the Board which he attends; provided, that the total compensation paid to each member in any year shall not exceed three hundred sixty dollars ($360). (19) Board of Safety and Fire Prevention. Each member of the Board of Safety and Fire Prevention shall receive forty dollars ($40) compensation for each meeting of the Board which he attends; provided, that the total compensation paid to each member in any year shall not exceed four hundred eighty dollars ($480). (20) Air Pollution Control Board. Each member of the Air Pollution Control Board shall receive thirty dollars ($30) compensation for each meeting of the Board which he attends; provided, that the total compensation paid to each member in any year shall not exceed three hundred sixty dollars ($360). (21) Board of Health. Each member of the Board of Health shall receive thirty dollars ($30) compensation for each meeting of the Board which he attends; provided, that the total compensation paid to each member in any year shall not exceed three hundred sixty dollars ($360). (22) Community Nursing Services Board. Each member of the Community Nursing Services Board shall receive thirty dollars ($30) compensation for each meeting of the Board which he attends; provided, that the total compensation paid to each member in any year shall not exceed three hundred sixty dollars ($360). (23) Mental Health and Intellectual Disability Board. 19 Each member of the Mental Health and Intellectual Disability Board shall receive thirty dollars ($30) compensation for each meeting of the Board which he attends; provided, that the total compensation paid to each member in any year shall not exceed three hundred sixty dollars ($360). (24) Board of Trustees of American Flag House and Betsy Ross Memorial. Each member of the Board of Trustees of American Flag House and Betsy Ross Memorial shall receive thirty dollars ($30) compensation for each meeting of the Board which he attends; provided, that the total compensation paid to each member in any year shall not exceed one hundred twenty dollars ($120). (25) Board of Trustees of Camp William Penn. Each member of the Board of Trustees of Camp William Penn shall receive thirty dollars ($30) compensation for each meeting of the Board which he attends; provided, that the total compensation paid to each member in any year shall not exceed one hundred twenty dollars ($120). (26) Recreation Coordination Board. Each member of the Recreation Coordination Board shall receive thirty dollars ($30) compensation for each meeting of the Board which he attends; provided, that the total compensation paid to each member in any year shall not exceed one hundred twenty dollars ($120). (27) Art Commission. Each member of the Art Commission shall receive forty dollars ($40) compensation for each meeting of the Commission which he attends; provided, that the total compensation paid to each member in any year shall not exceed nine hundred sixty dollars ($960). (28) Board of Labor Standards. Each member of the Board of Labor Standards shall receive forty dollars ($40) compensation for each meeting of the Board which he attends; provided, that the total compensation paid to each member in any year shall not exceed four hundred eighty dollars ($480). (29) Philadelphia Historical Commission. Each member of the Philadelphia Historical Commission shall receive forty dollars ($40) compensation for each meeting of the Commission which he attends; provided, that the total compensation paid to each member in any year shall not exceed four hundred eighty dollars ($480). (30) Adult Services Advisory Board. Each member of the Adult Services Advisory Board shall receive thirty dollars ($30) compensation for each meeting of the Board which he attends; provided, that the total compensation paid to each member in any year shall not exceed three hundred sixty dollars ($360). (31) Child Welfare Advisory Board. Each member of the Child Welfare Advisory Board shall receive thirty dollars ($30) compensation for each meeting of the Board which he attends; provided, that the total compensation paid to each member in any year shall not exceed one hundred twenty dollars ($120). (32) Electrical Code Advisory Board. Each member of the Electrical Code Advisory Board shall receive thirty dollars ($30) compensation for each meeting of the Board which he attends; provided, that the total compensation paid to each member in any year shall not exceed three hundred sixty dollars ($360). (33) The Philadelphia Prison Community Oversight Board. Each member of the Philadelphia Prison Community Oversight Board shall receive one hundred twenty-five dollars ($125) compensation for each meeting of the Board and the three mandatory tours of the county prison which they attends; provided, that the total compensation paid to each member in any year shall not exceed two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500). 19.1 (34) Board of Trustees of Riverview. Each member of the Board of Trustees of Riverview shall receive thirty dollars ($30) compensation for each meeting of the Board which he attends; provided, that the total compensation paid to each member in any year shall not exceed one hundred eighty dollars ($180). (35) Board of Trade and Conventions. Each member of the Board of Trade and Conventions shall receive thirty dollars ($30) compensation for each meeting of the Board which he attends; provided, that the total compensation paid to each member in any year shall not exceed three hundred sixty dollars ($360). (36) City Planning Commission. Each member of the City Planning Commission shall receive seventy dollars ($70) compensation for each meeting of the Commission which he attends; provided, that the total compensation paid to each member in any year shall not exceed one thousand six hundred eighty dollars ($1,680). (37) Board of Trustees of Free Library. Each member of the Board of Trustees of Free Library shall receive thirty dollars ($30) compensation for each meeting of the Board which he attends; provided, that the total compensation paid to each member in any year shall not exceed three hundred sixty dollars ($360). (38) [Reserved] 20 (39) Youth Services Coordinating Commission. Each member of the Youth Services Coordinating Commission shall receive thirty dollars ($30) compensation for each meeting of the Commission which he attends; provided, that the total compensation paid to each member in any year shall not exceed three hundred dollars ($300). (40) Each member of the Malt and Brewed Beverage Hearing Board shall receive one hundred dollars ($100) as compensation for each meeting of the Board which he or she attends; provided, that the total compensation paid to each member in any year shall not exceed twenty-two thousand dollars ($22,000). 21 (41) Environmental Justice Advisory Commission. Each member of the Environmental Justice Advisory Commission shall receive one hundred twenty-five dollars ($125) compensation for each meeting of the Commission which the member attends; provided, that the total compensation paid to each member in any year shall not exceed one thousand five hundred dollars ($1,500). 22 (42) Citizens Police Oversight Commission. Each member of the Citizens Police Oversight Commission shall receive one hundred twenty-five dollars ($125) as compensation for each meeting or hearing of the Commission which the member attends. 23 Notes 14 | Amended, 1988 Ordinances, p. 738. 15 | Amended, Bill No. 878 (approved July 24, 1995), 1995 Ordinances, p. 1130. 15.1 | Amended, Bill No. 250769 (approved March 25, 2026). 16 | Amended, 1987 Ordinances, p. 1081. 17 | Amended, Bill No. 960505 (approved July 8, 1996), 1996 Ordinances, p. 725. Section 2 of the Ordinance provides that the amendment to this Section of the Code shall apply during calendar year 1996 and calendar years thereafter. Amended, Bill No. 040759 (approved January 25, 2005). Section 2 of Bill No. 040759 provides that this Ordinance shall be effective retroactively from July 1, 2004. Amended, Bill No. 100212 (approved April 22, 2010); amended, Bill No. 140017 (became law March 27, 2014). 18 | Amended, Bill No. 040759 (approved January 25, 2005). Section 2 of Bill No. 040759 provides that this Ordinance shall be effective retroactively from July 1, 2004. 18.1 | Amended, Bill No. 260299 (approved June 23, 2026). 19 | Amended, Bill No. 130723 (approved January 20, 2014). 19.1 | Amended, Bill No. 251099 (approved April 7, 2026). Enrolled bill purported to amend Section 20-305; amendment made to this Section by Code editor. 20 | Deleted, Bill No. 051024 (approved December 15, 2005). Section 3 of Bill No. 051024 provides: "Effective Date. This Ordinance shall take effect upon the certification of the approval by the electors of the amendment to the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter providing for the creation and appointment of a Board of Ethics." Such an amendment was approved and became effective June 5, 2006. 21 | Added, Bill No. 070367-A (approved June 15, 2007). 22 | Added, Bill No. 190703 (approved October 23, 2019); amended, Bill No. 230127 (approved May 24, 2023). 23 | Added, Bill No. 210074 (approved June 9, 2021).

Philadelphia Code § 20-305 Compensation of Certain Elected Officials.

§ 20-305. Compensation of Certain Elected Officials. Subject to the cost of living provisions set forth in Section 20-308, the annual salaries of the elected officials shall be as follows: (1) Salaries of Members of Council. The annual salary of each member of the Council shall be ninety-eight thousand dollars ($98,000) except that the annual salary of the President of Council shall be one hundred twenty- three thousand dollars ($123,000) and that the annual salary of the majority leader of Council shall be one hundred five thousand dollars ($105,000), the majority whip one hundred three thousand dollars ($103,000), the majority deputy whip one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000), the minority leader one hundred three thousand dollars ($103,000), and the minority whip one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000). 25 (2) City Controller. The annual salary of the City Controller shall be one hundred nine thousand dollars ($109,000). (3) Sheriff. The annual salary of the Sheriff shall be ninety-eight thousand dollars ($98,000). (4) Reserved. 26 (5) Register of Wills. The annual salary of the Register of Wills shall be ninety-eight thousand dollars ($98,000). (6) City Commissioners. The annual salary of each City Commissioner shall be ninety-eight thousand dollars ($98,000), except that the Chair of the City Commissioners shall receive an annual salary of one hundred five thousand dollars ($105,000). (7) District Attorney. The annual salary of the District Attorney shall be as set forth in Section 5.1 of the act of November 1, 1971 (P.L. 495, No. 113), as added by Section 3 of the Act of October 29, 1987 (P.L. 373, No. 74) (16 P.S. § 11011-5.1), or any successor provision of law. (8) Mayor. The annual salary of the Mayor shall be one hundred sixty-five thousand dollars ($165,000). Notes 24 | Amended, 1987 Ordinances, p. 1194; amended, Bill No. 1268 (approved December 28, 1995), 1995 Ordinances, p. 1514. See Section 2 of Bill No. 1268 as to effective date and alternative cost of living provisions. Amended, Bill No. 030641 (became law October 30, 2003). See Section 2 of Bill No. 030641 as to effective dates and alternative cost of living provisions. 25 | Amended, Bill No. 140056 (approved November 10, 2015). Section 2 of Bill No. 140056 provides: "Effective Date. This Ordinance shall take effect on January 4, 2016, provided that the salary specified in the Ordinance for the majority deputy whip shall be adjusted pursuant to § 20-308 of The Philadelphia Code to reflect all cost of living adjustments made beginning June 30, 2005." 26 | Amended, Bill No. 100360 (approved October 12, 2010), effective July 1, 2010.

Philadelphia Code § 20-306 Allowance for Other Compensation.

§ 20-306. Allowance for Other Compensation. (1) The compensation fixed in this Title for any officer or official of the City, either elected or appointed, shall be reduced by an amount equal to any compensation which he receives in addition thereto for any service rendered by virtue of his office to the City or to any other government agency. Notes 27 | Added, 1960 Ordinances, p. 906.

Philadelphia Code § 20-307 Prohibition of Payment or Reimbursement of Certain Business Expenses.

§ 20-307. Prohibition of Payment or Reimbursement of Certain Business Expenses. (1) (a) Public funds from the City Treasury shall not be used to make payments to or reimburse City employees, executive and administrative officers and elected City officials for business expenses and entertainment in connection with the use of private organizations, clubs or associations which bar, restrict or limit membership or the use of dining or recreational facilities on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, national origin or ancestry. (b) Each request by a City employee, executive or administrative officer, or elected City official for payment or reimbursement from public funds from the City treasury shall contain a certification that said request for payment or reimbursement is not for business expenses or entertainment in connection with the use of a private organization, club or association which bars, restricts or limits membership or the use of dining or recreational facilities on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, national origin or ancestry. (2) For the use of the Department of Finance of the City of Philadelphia and the City Controller of the City of Philadelphia in the administration of this Section and for the information of other interested parties, the Commission on Human Relations shall conduct an annual survey pursuant to appropriate regulations promulgated by said Commission of private organizations, clubs or associations in the counties of Philadelphia, Chester, Bucks, Montgomery and Delaware in Pennsylvania, and the county of Camden, New Jersey to determine whether such private organizations, clubs or associations are governed by charter provisions, by-laws or policies which bar, restrict or limit membership or use of dining or recreational facilities on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, national origin or ancestry. Notes 28 | Added, 1981 Ordinances, p. 61.

Philadelphia Code § 20-308 Cost of Living Adjustments.

§ 20-308. Cost of Living Adjustments. (1) Definitions. (a) Date of Adjustment. June 30 of each year. (b) Base Fiscal Year. The fiscal year ending two years prior to the Date of Adjustment. (c) Prior Fiscal Year. The fiscal year ending one year prior to the Date of Adjustment. (d) Tax Revenues. In schedule I-A-5 of the City's Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, entitled "Combined Schedule of Revenues, Expenditures, Encumbrances and Changes in Fund Balances – General and Special Revenues Funds and Capital Improvement Funds – Budget (Legal Basis) and Actual", the amount set forth in the line labelled "Tax Revenues" under the column entitled "General Fund – Actual", or, should such Schedule or line no longer be included in the City's Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, then the equivalent amount as it may appear in some other Schedule or line of the City's Comprehensive Financial Report. (e) Tax Revenue Multiplier. The ratio of Tax Revenues for the Prior Fiscal Year to Tax Revenues for the Base Fiscal Year. (f) CPI. The Consumer Price Index for all Urban Consumers (CPI-U) All Items Index, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, as measured by the United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics. (g) CPI Multiplier. The ratio of the CPI on the last day of the Prior Fiscal Year to the CPI on the first day of the Prior Fiscal Year. (2) If provided in the Compensation Plan or otherwise directed by the Mayor, the minimum and maximum salaries set forth in Section 20-303 shall be adjusted on the Date of Adjustment by multiplying each then existing minimum and maximum salary (as those minimums and maximums may have been adjusted pursuant to this Section from time to time) by the lesser of the Tax Revenue Multiplier and the CPI Multiplier. 30 (3) The salaries of the elected officials whose salary is set forth in Section 20-305 (except for the salary of the District Attorney) shall be adjusted on the Date of Adjustment by multiplying the then existing salary (as it may have been adjusted pursuant to this Section from time to time) by the CPI Multiplier, unless the CPI Multiplier is less than one, in which case no change to such salaries shall be made on the Date of Adjustment. 31 Notes 29 | Added, Bill No. 1268 (approved December 28, 1995), 1995 Ordinances, p. 1514. See Section 2 of Bill No. 1268 as to effective dates and alternative cost of living provisions. 30 | Amended, Bill No. 200253-A (approved November 13, 2023). See note 13 for applicability and sunset provisions. 31 | Amended, Bill No. 030641 (became law October 30, 2003). See Section 2 of Bill No. 030641 as to effective dates and alternative cost of living provisions.

Philadelphia Code § 20-309 Transgender Health Benefits.

§ 20-309. Transgender Health Benefits. (1) Every health insurance plan offered by the City to officers and employees of the City shall include coverage for treatment of gender dysphoria and gender identity disorder, including medically necessary office visits, laboratory tests, prescription drugs, hormone treatments, counseling, and transitional surgeries necessary for the treatment of either. The coverage required under this Section shall be provided in each plan on terms consistent with the overall scheme of such plan, and consistent with sound administration of health benefits. The City shall commence providing the coverage required under this Section no later than January 1, 2014. Notes 32 | Added, Bill No. 130224 (approved May 8, 2013).

Source: City of Philadelphia, The Philadelphia Code and Home Rule Charter (American Legal Publishing, codelibrary.amlegal.com)URL: https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/philadelphia/latest/philadelphia_pa/0-0-0-300875Fetched: 10/27/2026