Take-home pay calculator

How it works

Take-home pay is your gross pay minus everything withheld or deducted from it. On a typical stub that means federal income tax, Social Security (6.2% up to $184,500 of wages), Medicare (1.45%, plus 0.9% on wages above $200,000), and state income tax. Some states add payroll premiums, such as California SDI or Washington's paid leave and long-term care premiums, and some offer a local tax field. Leave the state on "Federal only" to see the federal lines every worker pays.

Federal withholding follows IRS Publication 15-T Worksheet 1A for 2020 and later W-4s. The calculator annualizes your pay, subtracts a built-in $8,600 ($12,900 married filing jointly) unless you tick the W-4 Step 2 box, applies the 2026 rate schedule for your filing status, and divides the result back into your pay schedule. The Step 3 dependents credit comes off each check and Step 4(c) extra withholding goes on.

Pre-tax benefits change the math in two ways. A traditional 401(k) lowers the wages federal income tax applies to but leaves Social Security and Medicare untouched. Health premiums and HSA or FSA contributions through a cafeteria plan lower both. Most states follow the federal treatment; Pennsylvania taxes 401(k) deferrals, and its calculator reflects that.

Each state's formula, rates, sources, and known gaps are documented on its own page and in the methodology.

Frequently asked

How much tax is taken out of my paycheck?

Social Security takes 6.2% of wages up to $184,500 in 2026 and Medicare takes 1.45%, so 7.65% goes to FICA before anything else. Federal income tax depends on your pay, filing status, and W-4, and runs through brackets from 10% to 37%. State income tax applies in 41 states and DC. Enter your pay above to see each amount per paycheck and the effective rate.

What is take-home pay?

Take-home pay, also called net pay, is what reaches your bank account after taxes and deductions. It starts from gross pay and subtracts federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare, state and local taxes, state payroll premiums, and any 401(k), health, or other deductions you enter. The calculator shows it per paycheck and as a yearly total for the pay schedule you pick.

Is gross pay before or after taxes?

Before. Gross pay is your salary or hourly earnings before anything comes out, and it is the number you enter in the calculator. Net pay, or take-home pay, is what remains after taxes and deductions. The breakdown under the result lists every line between the two, so you can see how a gross figure turns into the amount deposited each payday.

Which states have no income tax?

Nine states have no income tax on wages in 2026: Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming. Two still take something from paychecks. Washington withholds about 0.81% for paid family and medical leave and 0.58% for its WA Cares long-term care fund, and Alaska withholds 0.5% for unemployment insurance on the first $54,200 of wages.

How do pre-tax deductions change my take-home pay?

A traditional 401(k) contribution lowers the wages subject to federal income tax, and in most states state tax too, but Social Security and Medicare still apply to it. Health premiums and HSA or FSA contributions through a cafeteria plan lower all three. Enter them under Benefits and deductions, and the calculator recomputes each tax line on the smaller wage base.

Why is my paycheck different from this estimate?

Common reasons are pre-tax benefits you have not entered, W-4 settings such as the Step 2 box or extra withholding, a local tax, or an employer that rounds withholding to the dollar. Additional Medicare is also estimated on annual pay, while payroll starts it once year-to-date wages pass $200,000. Copy the deductions from your pay stub into the calculator for a closer match.