How to use the paycheck calculator
Enter your salary (or hourly rate and hours), choose how often you’re paid, your state and filing status. The calculator shows your estimated take-home pay per paycheck and per year, with each deduction listed: federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare and state income tax. Add pre-tax deductions such as 401(k) or health premiums to see their effect, and switch between per paycheck and annual views.
Looking for your state? Jump to Texas, California, Florida, New York, or pick from the dropdown — every state and DC is covered.
Paycheck calculators by state
What comes out of a paycheck
| Deduction | 2026 rule |
|---|---|
| Federal income tax | Progressive brackets from 10% to 37% on income above the standard deduction ($16,100 single / $32,200 married / $24,150 head of household) |
| Social Security | 6.2% of wages up to $184,500 |
| Medicare | 1.45% of all wages, plus 0.9% on wages above $200,000 ($250,000 married) |
| State income tax | None in 9 states; a flat rate in 15; progressive brackets in the other 27 |
| Local income tax | Cities and counties in a handful of states (NY, PA, OH, MD, IN, MI, KY, MO, AL, DE, OR) |
| Pre-tax benefits | 401(k), 403(b), HSA, FSA and most health premiums reduce taxable income before tax is calculated |
Your employer pays a matching 6.2% + 1.45% on top — that’s not deducted from you, but it’s why contractors (who pay both halves) see a bigger tax bill.
Worked example
$65,000 salary, single, paid every two weeks, in Texas (no state income tax):
| Per paycheck | Annual | |
|---|---|---|
| Gross | $2,500.00 | $65,000 |
| Federal income tax | −$216.15 | −$5,620 |
| Social Security | −$155.00 | −$4,030 |
| Medicare | −$36.25 | −$943 |
| Take-home | $2,092.60 | $54,408 |
The same salary in California would lose roughly another $2,000 a year to state tax; in Illinois (flat 4.95%) about $3,100; in New York about $2,900.
Marginal vs effective rate
Being “in the 22% bracket” doesn’t mean you pay 22% of everything. Only the dollars above the bracket threshold are taxed at 22%; the first slices are taxed at 10% and 12%. The effective rate shown — total tax divided by gross pay — is the number that describes your real burden, and for most middle incomes it’s 18–28% including FICA and state.
A raise never leaves you with less money. Crossing into a higher bracket only changes the rate on the extra dollars.
Reducing what’s withheld (legitimately)
- Contribute to a 401(k) or traditional IRA — every dollar reduces federal and (in most states) state taxable income. $500 a month at a 22% bracket costs you about $390 of take-home.
- Use an HSA if you have a high-deductible plan — it’s exempt from income tax and FICA.
- Update your W-4 if you consistently get a big refund; you’re lending the government money at 0%.
- Check filing status — head of household is often overlooked by single parents and has wider brackets.
Assumptions and limits
This is an estimate for W-2 employees using the standard deduction. It doesn’t model itemised deductions, tax credits (child tax credit, EITC), self-employment tax, or state-specific credits and local taxes beyond the optional flat rate. State figures are 2026 where published; a few states are on 2025 tables until they release updates, and the result notes when that applies. Use the salary calculator for gross pay conversions and this one for what actually lands in your account.
Frequently asked questions
How accurate is this paycheck calculator?
It uses the official 2026 federal brackets, standard deduction and FICA rates, plus each state's published income-tax rules, so for a typical W-2 employee it lands within a few dollars of a real paycheck. Your actual withholding also depends on your W-4 choices, so treat it as a close estimate rather than a promise.
What's the difference between withholding and the tax I owe?
Withholding is what your employer takes from each paycheck as a prepayment. The tax you owe is settled on your annual return; if too much was withheld you get a refund. This calculator estimates the tax you'll owe spread evenly across paychecks, which is what withholding aims to match.
Why is my take-home pay lower than this estimate?
The usual reasons are health insurance premiums, retirement contributions, or other benefits deducted from pay — enter them in the pre-tax field — or local income taxes in cities like New York, Philadelphia or many Ohio and Pennsylvania municipalities.
Does it include bonuses?
Bonuses are usually withheld at a flat 22% federal rate as supplemental wages, but they're taxed at your normal rate on your return. Add a bonus to annual salary here to see the true annual effect.
Last updated August 27, 2026.