Hutchinson graduated from Oil City Area High School and received a bachelor's degree in economics from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania in 1983.
He has also studied at the University of Pittsburgh at Titusville and Thiel College.
In addition, he was a member of the Oil City Area School Board from 1986–1992.
He served as a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for the 64th district from 1993 to 2012.
He succeeded Republican Mary Jo White, who retired at the end of her term in 2012.