Finance · Paycheck
Paycheck Calculator
Estimate your take-home pay after federal tax, state tax, Social Security and Medicare. Pick your state for an accurate 2026 estimate — free and no sign-up.
How the paycheck calculator works
Your take-home pay (net pay) is what's left after four main deductions are taken out of your gross salary:
- Federal income tax — calculated on your taxable income (gross minus the standard deduction) using 2026 progressive brackets.
- State income tax — varies widely by state. Nine states have no state income tax at all.
- Social Security — 6.2% of wages up to the annual wage base.
- Medicare — 1.45% of all wages.
This calculator uses the standard deduction and an approximate flat state rate to give you a fast, realistic estimate. It does not include local city taxes or pre-tax deductions like 401(k) contributions.
2026 federal income tax brackets (single)
| Taxable income | Rate |
|---|---|
| $0 – $11,925 | 10% |
| $11,925 – $48,475 | 12% |
| $48,475 – $103,350 | 22% |
| $103,350 – $197,300 | 24% |
| $197,300 – $250,525 | 32% |
| $250,525 – $626,350 | 35% |
| $626,350+ | 37% |
Things to keep in mind
States with no income tax
Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington and Wyoming have no state income tax on wages. If you live in these states, your take-home pay is noticeably higher than in high-tax states like California or New York.
Pre-tax deductions lower your taxable income
Contributing to a 401(k), HSA or pre-tax health insurance reduces your taxable income, which lowers both federal and state tax. This calculator assumes no pre-tax deductions, so your real take-home pay may differ.
Frequently asked questions
How much of my paycheck do I take home?
Most US workers take home roughly 70–85% of gross pay after federal tax, state tax, Social Security and Medicare. Your state matters a lot — no-income-tax states keep more.
Why does my state matter so much?
State income tax ranges from 0% to over 10%. Two people on the same salary can have very different take-home pay depending on where they live, so selecting your state is essential.
What are FICA taxes?
FICA includes Social Security (6.2%) and Medicare (1.45%). Your employer matches both. High earners pay an extra 0.9% Medicare surtax.
Is this accurate for my exact paycheck?
It's a 2026 estimate using simplified federal brackets, the standard deduction and approximate flat state rates. It excludes local taxes and pre-tax deductions. Check your pay stub for exact figures.
Does it include 401(k) or health insurance?
No. This covers federal, state and FICA only. Pre-tax 401(k), HSA and insurance premiums would lower your taxable income and change the result.
Gross pay vs. net pay: what's the difference?
Your gross pay is your full salary or wage before anything is deducted — the headline number on a job offer. Your net pay (often called take-home pay) is what actually lands in your bank account after taxes and withholdings come out. The gap between the two is usually 15% to 30% of your gross income, depending on your state, your income level, and your pre-tax deductions.
Understanding this gap matters because budgets, mortgage applications, and savings goals should all be built on your net pay, not your gross. A worker earning $65,000 gross in a no-income-tax state might take home around $52,000, while the same salary in a high-tax state could leave closer to $48,000. The number that hits your account is the only one you can actually spend.
The four layers of paycheck withholding
1. Federal income tax
Federal income tax is progressive, meaning higher portions of your income are taxed at higher rates — but only the income inside each bracket is taxed at that bracket's rate. Your taxable income is your gross pay minus the standard deduction (or itemized deductions) and any pre-tax contributions. The amount your employer withholds is shaped by the Form W-4 you filled out when you were hired.
2. State (and sometimes local) income tax
State income tax varies dramatically. Nine states levy no income tax on wages at all, several use a flat rate, and others use their own progressive brackets that can exceed 10%. On top of that, some cities and counties — such as New York City, Philadelphia, and parts of Ohio — add a local income tax that this calculator does not model. If you live in a city with a local wage tax, your take-home pay will be a little lower than the estimate shown here.
3. Social Security (part of FICA)
Social Security tax is 6.2% of your wages, applied up to an annual wage base limit (around $176,100 for 2026). Earnings above that limit are not subject to Social Security tax. Your employer pays a matching 6.2%, so the program collects 12.4% in total on your behalf.
4. Medicare (part of FICA)
Medicare tax is 1.45% of all your wages, with no wage cap. High earners pay an extra 0.9% Additional Medicare Tax on income above a threshold (generally $200,000 for single filers). Together, Social Security and Medicare make up FICA — the Federal Insurance Contributions Act — which funds retirement, disability, and hospital insurance benefits.
Example: where a $65,000 salary goes (single filer, approximate)
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Gross salary | $65,000 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | – $4,030 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | – $943 |
| Federal income tax (est.) | – $5,200 |
| State income tax (varies) | $0 – $3,000 |
| Approximate take-home | $51,800 – $54,800 |
These figures are rounded estimates for illustration. Your real numbers depend on your filing status, your state, and your pre-tax deductions. The federal tax shown reflects the standard deduction; state tax is left as a range because it depends entirely on where you live.
Pre-tax deductions that lower your tax bill
Some of the most powerful ways to keep more of your paycheck happen before taxes are calculated. Pre-tax deductions reduce your taxable income, which lowers both your federal and (usually) your state income tax:
- 401(k) / 403(b) retirement contributions — money you put into a traditional workplace retirement plan is not taxed until you withdraw it in retirement. Contributing reduces your taxable income dollar for dollar.
- Health insurance premiums — employer-sponsored medical, dental, and vision premiums are typically paid with pre-tax dollars.
- Health Savings Account (HSA) — if you have a high-deductible health plan, HSA contributions are pre-tax and grow tax-free.
- Flexible Spending Account (FSA) — pre-tax money set aside for medical or dependent-care expenses.
- Commuter benefits — pre-tax transit and parking deductions where offered.
This calculator assumes none of these deductions, so it shows a conservative (lower take-home) estimate. If you contribute to a 401(k) or pay pre-tax premiums, your actual take-home pay relative to taxes will be slightly different, because your taxable income is reduced.
How pay frequency changes each paycheck
Your annual take-home pay is the same no matter how often you're paid, but the size of each individual paycheck changes with your pay schedule. Employers in the US most commonly use one of four schedules:
| Pay frequency | Paychecks/year | Per check on $52,000 net |
|---|---|---|
| Weekly | 52 | $1,000 |
| Biweekly (every 2 weeks) | 26 | $2,000 |
| Semimonthly (twice a month) | 24 | $2,167 |
| Monthly | 12 | $4,333 |
Note the difference between biweekly and semimonthly: biweekly means you get paid every two weeks, which produces 26 paychecks a year (and two "extra" paychecks in the months with three pay dates). Semimonthly means twice a month on fixed dates — for example the 15th and the last day — producing exactly 24 slightly larger paychecks. People often confuse the two when budgeting.
The role of Form W-4
Your Form W-4 tells your employer how much federal tax to withhold from each paycheck. The current W-4 no longer uses "allowances" — instead you report your filing status, multiple jobs, dependents, and any additional withholding. If too little is withheld, you may owe money at tax time; if too much is withheld, you get a refund but you've effectively given the government an interest-free loan all year. Reviewing your W-4 after a life change (marriage, a new baby, a second job) keeps your paychecks accurate.
Common misconceptions about take-home pay
- "A raise pushed me into a higher bracket, so I take home less." This is false. Only the income inside the higher bracket is taxed at the higher rate. A raise always increases your take-home pay.
- "Everyone in my state pays the same tax." Not quite — filing status, income level, deductions, and local taxes all change the result.
- "My gross salary is what I can spend." Always budget on net pay. Gross is the number before the four layers of withholding above.
- "A big refund means I did taxes well." A large refund usually means you over-withheld all year. Tuning your W-4 can put that money in each paycheck instead.
Smart ways to use this estimate
- Compare job offers across states by their net pay, not their gross salary.
- Build your monthly budget on the take-home figure, then subtract fixed costs like rent.
- Use the breakdown to see how much a 401(k) contribution could shift your taxable income.
- Re-run the estimate after a raise or a move to a different state to keep your budget realistic.
More questions about paychecks
What's the difference between biweekly and semimonthly pay?
Biweekly means every two weeks, giving 26 paychecks a year. Semimonthly means twice a month on set dates, giving 24 paychecks. Biweekly checks are slightly smaller but two months a year include a third paycheck.
Does a raise ever reduce my take-home pay?
No. Federal tax is progressive — only the income within a higher bracket is taxed at that higher rate. A raise always increases your net pay, even if part of it is taxed at a higher marginal rate.
Why is there a Social Security wage base limit?
Social Security tax (6.2%) only applies up to an annual wage base (around $176,100 for 2026). Earnings above that aren't subject to Social Security tax, so very high earners see their effective FICA rate drop slightly above the cap. Medicare has no such cap.
How do local city taxes affect my paycheck?
Some cities and counties add a local income or wage tax on top of federal and state tax. This calculator does not include local taxes, so if you live somewhere like New York City or Philadelphia, your real take-home pay will be a bit lower than the estimate.
Should I adjust my W-4 if I get a large refund?
A large refund usually means you withheld too much during the year. Updating your W-4 to reduce withholding puts more money in each paycheck. If you tend to owe at tax time, increasing withholding can prevent a surprise bill.
Why might my take-home pay differ from this estimate?
This tool uses simplified federal brackets, the standard deduction, and an approximate flat state rate. It excludes local taxes, pre-tax 401(k) and HSA contributions, additional Medicare tax, and specific W-4 settings. Your pay stub is always the most accurate source.