Paycheck Calculator (2026) — Calculate Your Take-Home Pay

Your salary looks great on paper — but your actual paycheck tells a different story. Taxes, deductions, and withholding rules can reduce your take-home by 20–30% before it hits your bank account.

This paycheck calculator shows exactly what you take home after federal tax, state tax, and deductions — per paycheck and annually.

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What Is a Paycheck Calculator?

A paycheck calculator estimates your take-home pay after federal tax, state tax, and deductions like Social Security and Medicare are withheld from your gross pay. Enter your salary or hourly rate, select your state and filing status, and the calculator shows exactly what lands in your bank account — per paycheck and annually.

Our paycheck calculator covers all 50 states, supports salary and hourly pay types, and includes both pre-tax deductions (401k, HSA, health insurance) and post-tax deductions (Roth 401k, garnishments) — giving you the most accurate take-home estimate available without a payroll system.

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How to Use This Paycheck Calculator

Step 1 — Pay Type: Salary or Hourly

Salary

Enter your annual gross salary. The calculator divides it by your pay frequency to get gross pay per period, then applies all taxes and deductions to show your net take-home per paycheck.

Hourly

Enter your hourly rate. The calculator uses your selected pay frequency to determine hours per period and calculates gross pay accordingly. Overtime is not included in the base calculation — use your standard rate for regular paycheck estimation.

Step 2 — Pay Frequency

How Pay Frequency Affects Your Paycheck

Pay frequency determines how many times per year you receive a paycheck — and the gross amount of each one. Your annual take-home is the same regardless, but your per-paycheck amount changes:

Frequency	Paychecks/Year	$65,000 Gross Per Paycheck
Weekly	52	$1,250
Biweekly	26	$2,500
Semi-monthly	24	$2,708
Monthly	12	$5,417

Biweekly and semi-monthly look similar but are different. Biweekly gives you 26 paychecks — two months each year have three paydays. Semi-monthly always produces exactly 24 paychecks.

Step 3 — Federal Allowances (W-4)

How Your W-4 Determines Federal Withholding

The W-4 form you complete when you start a job tells your employer how much federal income tax to withhold from each paycheck. The federal allowances field in our calculator corresponds to this W-4 input.

Allowances = 1 (default): Standard withholding for most single employees with one job. Produces accurate withholding for typical situations.

Allowances = 0: Higher withholding — more tax taken each paycheck, larger refund at filing. Appropriate if you have multiple jobs or significant other income.

Allowances = 2+: Lower withholding — less tax taken each paycheck. Used by married couples with dependents. Risk of underpayment penalty if overestimated.

The 2020 W-4 redesign removed numbered allowances for new hires — but our calculator retains this field for employees on older W-4 forms who want to model their actual withholding situation.

Step 4 — Pre-Tax Deductions

401k Contribution

Enter your 401k contribution as a dollar amount or percentage. Pre-tax 401k contributions reduce your taxable income before federal and state taxes are calculated — this is why contributing to a 401k costs your take-home pay less than the full contribution amount.

Example at $65,000, single:

• No 401k: federal tax ~$6,318/year
• 6% 401k ($3,900/year): federal tax ~$5,460/year — saves $858

You contribute $3,900 but your take-home only drops by ~$3,042. The difference is your tax saving.

The 2026 401k limit is $23,500 ($31,000 if age 50+).

Health Insurance

Enter your monthly health insurance premium. Most employer-sponsored premiums are pre-tax under a Section 125 cafeteria plan — reducing taxable income just like 401k.

Other Pre-Tax (HSA, FSA, Dental)

Use this field for HSA contributions, FSA elections, dental and vision premiums, or any other pre-tax benefit deduction. All of these reduce taxable income before taxes are applied.

2026 contribution limits:

• HSA (individual): $4,400
• HSA (family): $8,750
• FSA: $3,300

Step 5 — Post-Tax Deductions

Roth 401k

Unlike a traditional 401k, Roth 401k contributions come out after taxes — they do not reduce your taxable income. The benefit is tax-free withdrawals in retirement. Enter your Roth 401k contribution here — it reduces your take-home dollar for dollar without any tax offset.

Other Post-Tax (Garnishments, Life Insurance)

Wage garnishments, after-tax life insurance premiums, union dues, and other post-tax deductions go here. These are subtracted after all taxes are calculated.

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What Gets Deducted From Every Paycheck

Federal Income Tax — How W-4 Determines Withholding

Federal income tax is withheld from every paycheck based on your W-4 elections, pay frequency, and the 2026 IRS withholding tables (Publication 15-T). The withholding is designed so that by year-end, the total withheld closely matches your actual tax liability.

2026 Federal Tax Brackets:

Taxable Income (Single)	Rate
$0 – $12,400	10%
$12,401 – $50,400	12%
$50,401 – $105,700	22%
$105,701 – $201,775	24%
$201,776 – $256,225	32%
$256,226 – $640,600	35%
Over $640,600	37%

Standard deduction 2026: $16,100 (single) / $32,200 (married filing jointly)

Social Security and Medicare — FICA Per Paycheck

FICA is split into two flat-rate taxes applied to every paycheck:

Social Security — 6.2%

Applied to wages up to $184,500 in 2026. Once your year-to-date earnings cross this threshold, Social Security stops being deducted. This is why high earners see slightly larger paychecks later in the year — typically in November or December.

Medicare — 1.45%

No income cap. Employees earning over $200,000 (single) pay an additional 0.9% Additional Medicare Tax on wages above that threshold.

State Tax — How It Varies

State income tax is one of the biggest variables in your paycheck. The difference between working in Texas (no state tax) and California (up to 13.3%) on a $100,000 salary is over $6,000 per year — more than $500 per month.

No State Income Tax States

Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, Wyoming.

Flat Tax States

Illinois (4.95%), Michigan (4.25%), Pennsylvania (3.07%), Colorado (4.40%), Indiana (3.05%), Massachusetts (5.0%).

Progressive Tax States

California (up to 13.3%), New York (up to 10.9%), New Jersey (up to 10.75%), Oregon (up to 9.9%), Minnesota (up to 9.85%).

Pre-Tax vs Post-Tax — The Critical Difference

Understanding this distinction saves you money every paycheck.

Pre-tax deductions (401k traditional, health insurance, HSA, FSA) are subtracted from gross pay before any taxes are calculated. Every pre-tax dollar reduces both your federal and state taxable income — so the real cost to your take-home is less than the full deduction amount.

Post-tax deductions (Roth 401k, garnishments, after-tax life insurance) come out after all taxes are applied. They reduce your take-home dollar for dollar with no tax benefit.

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How Much of Your Paycheck Do You Actually Keep?

The gap between your gross salary and actual take-home depends on income level, filing status, state, and deductions. Here are realistic take-home percentages for common salary levels:

Take-Home Percentage by Income Level (Single, Moderate-Tax State)

Annual Salary	Federal + FICA + State Tax	Take-Home %	Monthly Take-Home
$40,000	~$7,800	~80%	~$2,683
$55,000	~$11,200	~80%	~$3,650
$65,000	~$14,000	~78%	~$4,250
$80,000	~$18,400	~77%	~$5,133
$100,000	~$25,500	~75%	~$6,208
$150,000	~$44,000	~71%	~$8,833

These figures are estimates for a single filer in a state with ~5% flat income tax. Your actual take-home will be higher in a no-tax state and lower in California or New York.

Why High Earners Keep a Lower Percentage

Higher earners face higher marginal federal rates, potential Additional Medicare Tax, and higher state tax brackets in progressive states. A $150,000 earner in California keeps approximately 62–65% of gross pay — compared to 74–76% in Texas on the same salary.

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Per Paycheck vs Annual — Understanding Both Numbers

Monthly Take-Home vs Annual Take-Home

Our calculator shows both your per-paycheck take-home and your annual take-home summary. These two numbers tell different stories:

• Per paycheck — what you budget from each pay cycle
• Annual summary — your total tax picture for the year

The annual summary is especially useful for tax planning. If your effective tax rate is lower than expected, you may be over-withholding — lending the government money interest-free and getting a large refund. Adjusting your W-4 allowances can increase each paycheck instead.

Effective Tax Rate — What It Means on Your Paycheck

Your effective tax rate is the percentage of your total gross income paid in federal income tax. At $65,000 single:

• Gross income: $65,000
• Minus standard deduction: $16,100
• Taxable income: $48,900
• Federal tax: ~$5,468
• Effective federal rate: 8.4%

Your marginal rate may be 22% but your effective rate is only 8.4% — because most of your income is taxed at 10% and 12%.

Why Biweekly Paychecks Vary in Q4

If you earn above the Social Security wage base ($184,500 in 2026), your Social Security withholding stops once you hit that threshold mid-year. The paycheck where this happens — usually in Q4 — will be noticeably larger because 6.2% of that paycheck is no longer withheld.

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Salary After Tax — Quick Estimate

Most employees take home 65% to 80% of their gross salary depending on income level and state taxes.

Bonus and Supplemental Pay Withholding

Why Your Bonus Paycheck Looks Different

Bonus and supplemental pay (commissions, overtime pay on separate checks, severance) are withheld at a flat federal rate of 22% — not at your marginal bracket rate. This is the IRS supplemental withholding rate for payments under $1 million.

Example: $5,000 bonus, single filer in Texas (no state tax)

• Federal withholding: $5,000 × 22% = $1,100
• Social Security: $5,000 × 6.2% = $310
• Medicare: $5,000 × 1.45% = $72.50
• Bonus take-home: $3,517.50

If your actual marginal rate is 12%, your bonus was over-withheld — you will get the difference back at tax filing.

Aggregate vs Flat Rate Method

Some employers use the aggregate method instead of the flat rate — combining the bonus with your regular pay and withholding based on the combined total. This can result in higher withholding than the flat 22% method if it pushes you into a higher bracket temporarily.

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First Paycheck at a New Job

Why Your First Paycheck Looks Different

First paychecks at a new job often look lower than expected for several reasons:

Partial Pay Period

If you started mid-pay-period, your first paycheck covers fewer days than a full period. A biweekly employee who starts on Wednesday of week two receives only 8 days of pay instead of 10.

W-4 Processing Delay

If your W-4 was not processed before the payroll deadline, your employer may withhold at the default single rate with no allowances — maximum withholding. This corrects itself from the second paycheck onward once your W-4 is on file.

Benefits Deductions Starting

Health insurance, dental, and vision premiums often start from the first full pay period. If enrollment was processed for your first partial check, you may see a full month of premiums deducted from a partial paycheck.

How to Verify Your W-4 Is Correct

Use this paycheck calculator to model what your paycheck should look like at your salary, state, filing status, and deductions. If your actual paycheck differs significantly from the calculator result, check with your HR or payroll department to verify your W-4 elections were processed correctly.

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Paycheck Calculator by State (2026)

Your state determines how much state income tax is withheld from every paycheck. Use the links below for state-specific paycheck guides with local tax rates, examples, and the calculator pre-set for your state.

High-Volume State Paycheck Calculators

California Paycheck Calculator

California has the highest state income tax in the US — up to 13.3% for high earners. California also has SDI (State Disability Insurance) withholding of 1.1% on all wages. On a $100,000 salary, California state tax is approximately $5,800–$6,500 annually depending on filing status.

Texas Paycheck Calculator

Texas has no state income tax — only federal tax and FICA apply. Workers in Texas keep approximately $6,000–$8,000 more annually than equivalent earners in California or New York. Texas also has no SDI or PFML withholding.

Florida Paycheck Calculator

Florida has no state income tax on wages. Like Texas, only federal tax and FICA apply. Florida also has no SDI contribution, making it one of the simplest paycheck calculations in the country.

New York Paycheck Calculator

New York state income tax reaches up to 10.9% for high earners. New York City residents pay an additional city income tax of up to 3.876% — making NYC one of the highest combined tax jurisdictions in the US.

Illinois Paycheck Calculator

Illinois uses a flat 4.95% state income tax rate — the same percentage regardless of income level. There is no local income tax in most Illinois cities, though Chicago has its own payroll expense tax paid by employers.

Additional State Paycheck Calculators

Our calculator covers all 50 states — select your state from the dropdown above to see your exact take-home pay with 2026 state withholding rates applied automatically.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How is a paycheck calculated?

Start with gross pay (annual salary ÷ pay periods, or hourly rate × hours). Subtract pre-tax deductions to get taxable wages. Apply federal income tax using IRS withholding tables and your W-4 elections. Deduct Social Security (6.2%) and Medicare (1.45%). Deduct state income tax at your state’s rate. Subtract post-tax deductions. The result is your net take-home pay per paycheck.

What is the difference between a paycheck calculator and a salary calculator?

A salary calculator shows your annual take-home pay — useful for comparing job offers or understanding your total yearly income after taxes. A paycheck calculator shows your take-home per pay period — useful for budgeting, verifying each paycheck, and understanding per-paycheck deductions. Our salary calculator is at Salary Calculator.

Why does my paycheck change from month to month?

Common reasons: variable pre-tax deductions, year-to-date Social Security threshold being reached, tax withholding adjustments, changes to benefit elections, or bonuses processed through payroll. If you have reached the Social Security wage base of $184,500 mid-year, your paycheck increases because 6.2% FICA withholding stops.

How does the W-4 affect my paycheck?

Your W-4 tells your employer how much federal income tax to withhold. Higher allowances = less withholding = larger paychecks = potentially smaller refund or tax due at filing. Lower allowances or claiming 0 = more withholding = smaller paychecks = potentially larger refund. Most employees use 1 allowance as the standard starting point.

What is the difference between pre-tax and post-tax deductions?

Pre-tax deductions (traditional 401k, health insurance, HSA) are subtracted before taxes are calculated, reducing your taxable income. Post-tax deductions (Roth 401k, garnishments) are subtracted after taxes — no tax benefit, but Roth contributions grow tax-free. The practical difference: $500/month pre-tax costs your take-home ~$385. The same $500 post-tax costs the full $500.

Why is my bonus taxed at 22%?

The IRS requires employers to withhold federal income tax on supplemental pay (bonuses, commissions, overtime paid separately) at a flat 22% supplemental rate. This is not your actual tax rate — if your marginal rate is 12%, you will receive the excess withholding back when you file your tax return.

How much of my paycheck goes to taxes?

For most US workers, 20–30% of gross pay goes to federal tax, FICA, and state tax combined. At $65,000 single in a moderate-tax state: approximately 21–22% total. At $100,000 single in California: approximately 30–33% total. Use the calculator above for your exact percentage.

Can I use this calculator for hourly pay?

Yes. Select “Hourly” as the pay type, enter your hourly rate, and choose your pay frequency. The calculator determines your gross pay per period and applies all taxes and deductions. For overtime pay calculations, use your base hourly rate for regular paycheck estimation.

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Related Calculators

• Salary Calculator — Calculate your annual take-home pay, convert hourly to salary, estimate raise impact, and compare states. Focused on annual figures rather than per-paycheck breakdowns.
• Salary Slip Generator — Generate a professional payslip PDF showing your full earnings and deductions. Useful for loan applications and income verification documents.
• Retirement Calculator — See how your 401k contribution from each paycheck compounds over time into retirement savings.
• Investment Calculator — Model the long-term growth of consistent monthly contributions from your take-home pay.