Paycheck Estimator
Estimate your take-home pay after federal & state taxes, Social Security, and Medicare.
PRE-TAX DEDUCTIONS (per paycheck)
POST-TAX DEDUCTIONS (per paycheck)
Breakdown — Per Paycheck
Annual Totals
| Category | Per Paycheck | Annual |
|---|
Monthly Budget Breakdown
| Period | Gross | Taxes & FICA | Deductions | Net Pay |
|---|
How to Use This Paycheck Estimator
Choose Salary or Hourly, enter your gross pay details, then select your filing status and state. Add any pre-tax deductions (like 401k contributions or health insurance premiums) and post-tax deductions. Hit Calculate Paycheck to instantly see your estimated net take-home pay, a visual breakdown, and an annual summary table.
Why This Matters
Most people have no idea what their actual take-home pay will be until they see their first paycheck — and it's almost always less than expected. A $75,000 salary doesn't mean $6,250 per month in the bank. After federal income tax (~22% bracket for a single filer), state income tax, Social Security (6.2%), and Medicare (1.45%), you might actually bring home closer to $4,700–$5,000 per month depending on your state.
This matters for major life decisions: Can you afford that $1,800/month apartment? Should you accept a job offer in Texas (no state income tax) vs. California (up to 13.3%)? A $10,000 salary increase in a high-tax state might only net you $6,000 extra per year. Knowing your real take-home pay helps you budget accurately, negotiate job offers intelligently, and plan contributions to retirement accounts before they get taxed.
Freelancers and hourly workers benefit even more — calculating your hourly rate with benefits versus without benefits can reveal you need $5–10/hr more to match an equivalent salaried role.
How It's Calculated
The calculator uses 2024 federal income tax brackets with the standard deduction applied:
- Single: Standard deduction $14,600 — brackets 10% / 12% / 22% / 24% / 32% / 35% / 37%
- Married Filing Jointly: Standard deduction $29,200 — same brackets at double thresholds
- Head of Household: Standard deduction $21,900
FICA taxes: Social Security = 6.2% on wages up to $168,600; Medicare = 1.45% on all wages (plus 0.9% Additional Medicare Tax on wages above $200,000 for single filers).
State tax is applied as a flat effective rate (simplified for estimation). Pre-tax deductions (401k, health insurance, HSA) reduce your federal and state taxable income before taxes are calculated.
Formula: Net Pay = Gross Pay − Federal Tax − State Tax − Social Security − Medicare − Post-Tax Deductions
Tips & Common Mistakes
- Don't forget pre-tax deductions. If your employer offers a 401(k) match and you're not contributing, you're leaving free money on the table — and those contributions reduce your taxable income.
- State tax varies enormously. Moving from California to Texas on a $100k salary saves roughly $9,000+ per year in state income tax alone.
- Bi-weekly ≠ semi-monthly. Bi-weekly gives you 26 paychecks/year (2 "bonus" months), while semi-monthly gives 24. Your per-check amount differs.
- Health insurance premiums are usually pre-tax via employer cafeteria plans, which lowers your taxable income — enter them in the pre-tax field.
- This is an estimate, not a guarantee. Actual withholding depends on your W-4 elections, additional income, and employer practices. Consult a tax professional for complex situations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my take-home pay so much less than my salary?
Multiple taxes come out of every paycheck: federal income tax (10–37%), state income tax (0–13.3%), Social Security (6.2%), and Medicare (1.45%). Combined, these typically reduce gross pay by 25–35% for middle-income earners. Add health insurance, retirement contributions, and other deductions, and it's common to take home only 60–70% of your gross salary.
How accurate is this paycheck calculator?
This tool provides a close estimate using 2024 federal tax brackets with the standard deduction and simplified state flat rates. It won't account for itemized deductions, tax credits, multiple jobs, or non-wage income. For exact withholding, use the IRS Tax Withholding Estimator or consult a tax professional.
Does contributing more to my 401(k) really increase my take-home pay ratio?
Yes — in a sense. Every dollar contributed pre-tax to a 401(k) reduces your taxable income by that amount. For someone in the 22% federal bracket contributing $500/month to their 401k, their actual after-tax cost is only $390/month ($500 × (1 − 0.22)). The government effectively subsidizes $110 of your retirement savings.
What's the difference between effective and marginal tax rate?
Your marginal rate is the rate on your last dollar earned (e.g., 22% bracket). Your effective rate is the total tax you pay divided by your total income — usually much lower, because lower income is taxed at lower rates. Someone in the 22% bracket typically has an effective federal rate of 13–16%.