Finance calculators

Salary Paycheck Calculator

Updated Aug 7, 2026 By Jehan Wadia
Rate Formulas
Enter either annual salary or per-period gross — the other fills in automatically.
Gross wages for a single paycheck before any taxes or deductions.
Bi-Weekly = every other Friday; Semi-Monthly = e.g. the 15th and last day.
The check date sets which tax year's brackets and caps are applied (2026).
Used to accurately apply the Social Security wage cap and Additional Medicare Tax.
Self-employed or independent contractor?
Yes applies the full 15.3% SE rate with the 50% SE-tax deduction.
States with no wage income tax show $0.00.
Cities such as NYC, Philadelphia and Detroit levy a local wage tax.
Adds the extra standard deduction plus the $6,000 OBBBA senior deduction.
Second job or working spouse?
Interest, dividends or retirement income — maps to W-4 Step 4(a).
W-4 Version on File
Check the year printed in the top-right corner of the W-4 your employer has on file.
New W-4 Steps 2 – 4
$2,000 Child Tax Credit each.
$500 Other Dependent Credit each.
Mirrors "Other Non-Job Income" above.
Extra deductions beyond the standard deduction, e.g. mortgage interest.
Federal income tax becomes $0; Social Security and Medicare still apply.
Pre-Tax Deductions (per pay period)
Deduction Label Amount Amount Type FICA-Exempt Remove
Total Pre-Tax Deductions (per period)$0.00
Post-Tax Deductions (per pay period)
Deduction Label Amount Amount Type Remove
Total Post-Tax Deductions (per period)$0.00
Deductions Affecting Taxable Income (annual)
IRA contributions, student loan interest and similar adjustments.
The larger of this or the standard deduction is used automatically.
Capped at $25,000; phases out above $150k / $300k MAGI.
Capped at $12,500 single / $25,000 joint; same phase-out thresholds.
Capped at $10,000; phases out above $100k / $200k MAGI.
Above-the-line cap of $1,000 single / $2,000 joint.
Estimated Bi-Weekly Take-Home Pay
$0.00
 
Annual Gross
$0.00
Annual Taxes Withheld
$0.00
Annual Deductions
$0.00
Annual Take-Home
$0.00
Where Does Your Paycheck Go?
Chart Style

Detailed Paycheck Breakdown
Line Item % of Gross Per Period Annual
Step-by-Step Solution

Introduction

Your paycheck is almost always smaller than your salary. Taxes and deductions come out first. This salary paycheck calculator shows you exactly what is left — your real take-home pay.

Just enter your pay, how often you get paid, your state, and your W-4 details. The calculator does the rest. It figures out:

  • Federal income tax using 2025 or 2026 brackets and your filing status — see the Tax Bracket Calculator for the full rate tables
  • Social Security and Medicare (FICA), including the wage cap and the extra 0.9% Medicare tax (details in the Payroll Tax Calculator)
  • State and local income tax for all 50 states and Washington, D.C. — compare with the State Tax Calculator
  • State disability, family leave, and unemployment where workers pay it
  • Pre-tax and post-tax deductions like health insurance, 401(k), HSA, and Roth plans
  • New OBBBA deductions for tips, overtime, car loan interest, and giving to charity

You get your net pay per paycheck and per year, a chart that shows where each dollar goes, and a step-by-step breakdown of the math. It works for W-2 workers and for 1099 self-employed people too — if you contract, also try the Self Employment Tax Calculator and the 1099 Tax Calculator.

Use it to check a job offer, plan a raise, set your withholding, or just understand your pay stub better.

How to use our Salary Paycheck Calculator

Enter your pay, your state, your W-4 details, and any deductions. The calculator shows your take-home pay per paycheck and per year, plus a full breakdown of federal tax, state tax, FICA, and deductions.

Annual Salary: Type your total pay for one year before taxes. The per-period box fills in for you. Not sure of the yearly figure? The Annual Income Calculator and Hourly to Salary Calculator can work it out.

Per-Period Gross Pay: Type the gross amount on one paycheck instead. The annual salary box fills in for you. The Gross Pay Calculator helps if you only know your hours and rate.

Pay Frequency: Pick how often you get paid, such as weekly, bi-weekly, semi-monthly, or monthly. See the Biweekly Paycheck Calculator or Weekly Pay Calculator for schedule-specific views.

Check Date: Pick the date of the paycheck. This sets the tax year rates the tool uses.

YTD Gross Earnings: Enter what you have earned so far this year before this check. This applies the Social Security wage cap and extra Medicare tax the right way — the Social Security Tax Calculator explains the cap in more detail.

Self-employed or independent contractor: Choose "Yes (1099)" if you pay both halves of Social Security and Medicare. Choose "No (W-2)" if an employer withholds for you.

Federal Filing Status: Pick single, married filing jointly, married filing separately, or head of household.

State of Employment: Pick the state where you work. States with no wage tax show $0.00. State-specific versions include the California, Texas, Florida, Ohio, and Illinois paycheck calculators.

City / Local Income Tax Rate: Enter your city or local tax rate as a percent. Leave it at 0 if you have none. New York City workers can use the NYC Paycheck Calculator, and Pennsylvania workers the PA Paycheck Calculator.

Age 65 or older: Turn this on if you are 65 or older. A second switch appears for your spouse if you file jointly.

Second job or working spouse: Choose "Yes" if there is more than one job in your household. Two income boxes will appear.

Income #2 and Income #3: Enter the yearly wages from the second job or your spouse's job.

Other Non-Job Income: Enter yearly income from interest, dividends, or retirement.

W-4 Version on File: Pick the new W-4 (2020 and later) or the old W-4 (before 2020). The year is printed at the top of the form. The IRS Withholding Calculator walks through each W-4 line.

Step 2 — Multiple jobs: Check this box if you marked Step 2 on your W-4.

Step 3 — Children under 17: Enter how many. Each one adds a $2,000 credit.

Step 3 — Other dependents: Enter how many. Each one adds a $500 credit. The total credit is figured for you.

Step 4(a), 4(b), and 4(c): Enter other yearly income, extra yearly deductions, and any extra tax you want held from each check.

Allowances (old W-4 only): Enter your federal, state, and local allowances, plus any extra amount held from each check.

Exempt from federal withholding: Turn this on to set federal income tax to $0. Social Security and Medicare still come out.

Pre-Tax Deductions: Set the amount for each item, like health insurance or a 401(k). Pick a fixed dollar amount or a percent, and check the box if the item is also free from FICA. Add or remove rows as needed.

Post-Tax Deductions: Set amounts for items taken after taxes, like a Roth 401(k) or a garnishment.

Non-Withheld Deductions: Enter yearly items like IRA contributions or student loan interest.

Itemized Deductions: Enter your yearly total. The tool uses this or the standard deduction, whichever is larger. The Taxable Income Calculator shows how that choice plays out.

Tax Exemptions: Turn on the main switch, then pick each tax you do not pay, such as state tax or Social Security.

OBBBA Deductions: Enter your yearly qualified tips, qualified overtime pay, car loan interest, and cash charity gifts. Caps and phase-outs are applied for you. Use the Overtime Calculator to total your qualified overtime first.

Calculate and Reset: Results update as you type, but you can press Calculate any time. Press Reset to start over. You can also switch the chart between donut and pie.

Understanding Your Salary Paycheck

Your salary is the money your job promises to pay you each year. But the amount that lands in your bank account is smaller. That smaller amount is called net pay, or take-home pay. The full amount before anything is taken out is called gross pay. To work backward from a target net amount, try the Net to Gross Calculator.

Why Gross Pay and Take-Home Pay Are Different

Three things shrink your paycheck:

  • Income taxes – federal tax, state tax, and sometimes a city or local tax. See the Income Tax Calculator for the yearly picture.
  • FICA taxes – Social Security (6.2% of wages up to a yearly cap) and Medicare (1.45% with no cap). Workers who earn a lot pay an extra 0.9% Medicare tax on wages over $200,000. Self-employed people pay both the worker and employer share, about 15.3%.
  • Deductions – money for health insurance, retirement plans, and other benefits.

Pre-Tax vs. Post-Tax Deductions

Pre-tax deductions come out before taxes are figured. Health insurance, a traditional 401(k), and an HSA are common ones. Because they lower your taxable pay, they also lower your tax bill.

Post-tax deductions come out after taxes. A Roth 401(k), some life insurance, and wage garnishments work this way. They do not lower your taxes.

How Pay Frequency Works

Pay frequency is how often you get paid. It changes the size of each check, not your yearly total.

  • Weekly – 52 checks a year
  • Bi-weekly – every two weeks, 26 checks a year
  • Semi-monthly – twice a month, 24 checks a year
  • Monthly – 12 checks a year (see the Monthly Income Calculator)

Bi-weekly and semi-monthly sound the same but are not. Bi-weekly gives you two extra checks over the year, so each one is a little smaller. If you are paid by the hour instead of by salary, the Hourly Paycheck Calculator and Time Card Calculator are a better fit.

Your W-4 Controls Federal Withholding

The Form W-4 you give your boss tells them how much federal tax to hold back. The 2020 and later version uses steps instead of allowances. Step 2 covers second jobs or a working spouse. Step 3 counts child and dependent credits, which lower your withholding. Step 4 lets you add extra income, extra deductions, or extra tax to hold back each payday. If your W-4 is wrong, you may owe money in April or get a big refund because too much was held back — the Tax Refund Calculator can show which way you are leaning.

State and Local Taxes Vary a Lot

Nine states take no tax on wages: Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming. Other states use flat rates or bracket tables. Some states also take small amounts for disability insurance or paid family leave, such as California SDI or Washington PFML. A few cities, like New York City, Philadelphia, and Detroit, add their own wage tax. Moving between states? The Cost of Living Calculator pairs well with this one.

New Deductions for 2025–2028

Recent tax law added temporary write-offs for tips, overtime pay, car loan interest, and cash gifts to charity. Seniors age 65 and older may also claim an extra $6,000 deduction. Each one has a dollar cap and fades out as income rises. The 2026 Tax Calculator reflects the same rules for your full-year return.

Why Estimating Take-Home Pay Matters

Knowing your real paycheck helps you set a budget, plan rent, compare job offers with the Salary Calculator, and see how a raise or a bigger 401(k) contribution changes things. A quick check before you accept a job can save you from a surprise. It also helps to know your effective tax rate and how a bonus will be taxed. Keep in mind that any estimate is a guide — your actual pay stub depends on your employer's payroll rules and your exact tax situation.

Formulas used

Annualized gross pay and per-period conversion
\text{Annual Gross} = \text{Gross}_{\text{period}} \times N_{\text{periods}}, \qquad \text{Gross}_{\text{period}} = \frac{\text{Annual Salary}}{N_{\text{periods}}}
Wages subject to income tax (after pre-tax deductions)
\text{Annual Taxable Wages} = \left(\text{Gross}_{\text{period}} - \text{PreTax}_{\text{period}}\right) \times N_{\text{periods}}
FICA: Social Security, Medicare and Additional Medicare
\begin{aligned} B &= \text{FICA Wages} \times (0.9235 \text{ if self-employed, else } 1) \\ \text{SS} &= \min\!\left(B,\; \max(0,\; \text{Cap} - \text{YTD})\right) \times r_{SS} \\ \text{Med} &= B \times r_{Med} \\ \text{AddlMed} &= \Big[\max(0, \text{YTD}+B-200{,}000) - \max(0, \text{YTD}-200{,}000)\Big] \times 0.009 \end{aligned}
Federal taxable income (MAGI less deductions)
\text{Taxable}_{\text{fed}} = \max\!\big(0,\; \text{MAGI} - D_{\text{base}} - \text{Step4b} - D_{\text{OBBBA}} - \text{NonWithheld} - \tfrac{1}{2}\text{SE Tax} - 4300 \cdot A_{\text{fed}}\big)
Progressive bracket tax and per-period federal withholding
T = \sum_{i} \big(\min(I, L_i) - L_{i-1}\big)^{+} \cdot r_i, \qquad \text{Fed}_{\text{period}} = \frac{\max(0,\, T - C_{\text{step3}}) \cdot \frac{\text{Annual Wages}}{\text{Household Income}}}{N_{\text{periods}}} + \text{Extra}
OBBBA deductions with income phase-outs
\begin{aligned} D_{\text{senior}} &= \max\!\big(0,\; 6000n - 0.06\,(\text{MAGI}-\text{Thr}_s)^{+}\big) \\ D_{\text{tips}} &= \max\!\big(0,\; \min(\text{Tips},25000) - 0.10\,(\text{MAGI}-\text{Thr}_t)^{+}\big) \\ D_{\text{OT}} &= \max\!\big(0,\; \min(\text{OT},\text{Cap}_{OT}) - 0.10\,(\text{MAGI}-\text{Thr}_t)^{+}\big) \\ D_{\text{auto}} &= \max\!\big(0,\; \min(\text{Int},10000) - 0.20\,(\text{MAGI}-\text{Thr}_a)^{+}\big) \end{aligned}
State and local income tax per period
\text{State}_{\text{period}} = \frac{T_{\text{state}}\!\left(\max(0,\, W_{\text{state}} - D_{\text{state}} - E_{\text{state}})\right)}{N_{\text{periods}}} + \text{Extra}_{\text{state}}, \qquad \text{Local} = \text{Wages}_{\text{period}} \times \frac{r_{\text{local}}}{100}
Net take-home pay per period
\text{Net} = \text{Gross}_{\text{period}} - \big(\text{Fed}+\text{State}+\text{Local}\big) - \big(\text{SS}+\text{Med}+\text{AddlMed}+\text{SDI}+\text{SUI}+\text{FLI}\big) - \text{PreTax} - \text{PostTax}

Frequently asked questions

Why is my real pay stub a little different from this calculator?

This tool gives a close estimate, not an exact copy of your pay stub. Small gaps happen because of:

  • Employer payroll software that rounds differently
  • State rules the tool simplifies, like local school district taxes
  • Benefit costs that change mid-year
  • Bonuses, overtime, or unpaid days in that period

Most of the time the difference is a few dollars. If it is large, check your W-4 settings and deduction amounts.

Do I have to fill in both Annual Salary and Per-Period Gross Pay?

No. Fill in just one. The other box fills in by itself using your pay frequency.

If you change your pay frequency, the per-period box updates to match your yearly salary. Your yearly pay stays the same.

What does the FICA-Exempt checkbox do?

It marks a pre-tax deduction that also skips Social Security and Medicare tax.

Section 125 plans like health, dental, vision, HSA, and FSA are FICA-exempt. Leave that box checked for them.

Retirement plans like a traditional 401(k) are not FICA-exempt. They lower income tax only, so leave that box unchecked.

What is the difference between % of Gross Pay and % of Net Pay?

% of Gross Pay takes a share of your full paycheck before anything is removed. Most 401(k) plans work this way.

% of Net Pay takes a share of what is left after taxes and other deductions. Some garnishments work this way.

Fixed Dollar takes the same amount every payday.

Why did my take-home pay come out negative?

Your deductions and withholding add up to more than your gross pay. A red warning box appears when this happens.

Check these first:

  • Deduction amounts that are too high, or a percent typed as a dollar amount
  • Extra withholding in W-4 Step 4(c)
  • A gross pay amount that is too low for your pay frequency

What should I put in YTD Gross Earnings?

Enter everything you have earned this year before the check you are figuring. Your last pay stub shows this number.

Leaving it at 0 is fine for most people. It matters most if you earn over the Social Security wage cap or over $200,000, because the tool uses it to stop Social Security tax and start the extra 0.9% Medicare tax at the right time.

Why did my Social Security tax drop to zero?

Social Security tax only applies up to a yearly wage cap. Once your year-to-date wages pass it, no more is taken out for the rest of the year.

The cap is $176,100 for 2025 and $184,500 for 2026. A yellow note appears in the results when you hit or cross it. Your take-home pay goes up for those later checks.

Why does the extra Medicare tax start at $200,000 even though I am married?

Employers must start the extra 0.9% Medicare tax at $200,000 for every worker, no matter the filing status. That is the payroll rule.

Married couples have a $250,000 threshold on their tax return. So you may get some of it back, or owe a bit more, when you file. This calculator follows the payroll rule.

I picked 1099 self-employed. Why is my tax based on 92.35% of my pay?

Self-employment tax is charged on 92.35% of net earnings, not 100%. That is the rule in the tax code.

The tool also takes half of your self-employment tax off your taxable income, just like a real return. See the Self Employment Tax Calculator for a deeper look.

I live in one state but work in another. Which state do I pick?

Pick the state where you work, since that is usually where tax is withheld.

If your home state also taxes you, you normally file there too and claim a credit for tax paid to the work state. Some states have reciprocal deals where only your home state taxes you. Check both state rules.

I am exempt from federal withholding. Why is money still coming out?

Being exempt from federal income tax withholding does not stop Social Security and Medicare. Those still come out of almost every paycheck.

State tax, local tax, and your own deductions also still apply. To turn those off, use the switches in the Tax Exemptions section.

Why is my 401(k) still taxed by my state?

Pennsylvania and New Jersey tax 401(k) contributions when you put the money in. This calculator adds those dollars back for state tax in those two states.

Your federal tax is still lowered. Most other states follow the federal rule and do not tax the contribution.

I entered charitable gifts but nothing changed. Why?

The above-the-line charity deduction is only for people who take the standard deduction. If your itemized deductions are larger and the tool uses those instead, the charity write-off is set to $0.

The cap is $1,000 single and $2,000 for joint filers.

What local tax rate should I type in?

Enter your city or school district rate as a percent. Leave it at 0 if you do not pay one.

Common examples:

  • New York City: about 3.0% to 3.9%
  • Philadelphia: about 3.75% for residents
  • Detroit: 2.4% resident, 1.2% non-resident

Check your pay stub or city website for your exact rate.

Which tax years does this calculator use?

2025 and 2026. The Check Date you pick sets the year. Dates before 2025 use 2025 rates, and dates after 2026 use 2026 rates.

Brackets, standard deductions, and the Social Security cap all change with the year you select.

Does this include the taxes my employer pays?

No. It shows only what comes out of your check.

Your employer pays a matching 6.2% Social Security and 1.45% Medicare, plus unemployment tax. Those do not reduce your take-home pay. Employers can use the Payroll Tax Calculator for the full cost.

Can I add a deduction that is not in the list?

Yes. Click Add Custom Pre-Tax Deduction or Add Custom Post-Tax Row, then rename the label and set the amount.

You can also delete any row you do not use with the trash button, or just set its amount to 0.

How can I increase my take-home pay?

A few options:

  • Update your W-4 if too much tax is held back
  • Add child or dependent credits in Step 3 if you qualify
  • Remove extra withholding in Step 4(c)
  • Cut deductions you do not need

Keep in mind that lowering withholding means a smaller refund, or a bill, in April. Try the Tax Refund Calculator first.

Can I use this if I am paid hourly?

Yes, if your hours are steady. Multiply your hourly rate by your hours per period and enter that as gross pay.

If your hours change a lot, the Hourly Paycheck Calculator is a better fit.

What does the Step-by-Step Solution section show?

It shows the full math behind your result, one step at a time. You can see how the tool goes from gross pay to FICA, taxable income, bracket-by-bracket tax, state tax, and finally your net pay.

It is useful for checking your own pay stub line by line.

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