How to Use the US Paycheck Calculator
The US Paycheck Calculator computes your net take-home pay after federal income tax, state income tax, Social Security (6.2%), Medicare (1.45%), and any 401(k) pre-tax contributions. It covers all 50 states and Washington DC with accurate 2026 tax tables and withholding formulas.
Enter your gross salary (annual or hourly), filing status (single, married filing jointly, etc.), state, pay frequency, and any pre-tax deductions (401k, HSA). The calculator shows each deduction itemised and your net take-home for each pay period.
A key nuance is the W-4 effect: since the 2020 W-4 redesign, the standard withholding no longer relies on allowances. Instead it uses your estimated annual income. If your W-4 isn't filled in correctly (or you have multiple jobs), you may be under-withholded and owe tax at filing — or over-withholded and effectively giving HMRC an interest-free loan.
📊 Worked Example
$75,000 salary in Texas, single, no state tax, biweekly pay, 6% 401(k):
- Gross biweekly pay: $2,884.62
- Federal income tax: −$346
- Social Security (6.2%): −$178.85
- Medicare (1.45%): −$41.83
- 401(k) 6%: −$173.08
- Net take-home: $2,144.86/biweekly
Common Use Cases
- ✅ Verifying your paycheck deductions are correct
- ✅ Comparing take-home pay in different US states
- ✅ Understanding how a 401(k) contribution reduces your paycheck and tax
- ✅ Planning a budget based on net take-home pay
- ✅ Comparing job offers in different states with different tax rates
- ✅ Calculating withholding for a new job or salary change
Frequently Asked Questions
What are FICA taxes?
FICA (Federal Insurance Contributions Act) taxes fund Social Security and Medicare. Employees pay 6.2% Social Security tax on earnings up to the wage base ($176,100 in 2025) and 1.45% Medicare tax on all earnings. High earners pay an additional 0.9% Medicare surtax on earnings above $200,000 ($250,000 for married filing jointly).
Which US states have no income tax?
Nine states have no individual income tax: Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire (on wages only), South Dakota, Tennessee (on wages only), Texas, Washington, and Wyoming. Not having state income tax can save thousands per year depending on your income level.
How does a 401(k) contribution reduce my paycheck?
Traditional 401(k) contributions are pre-tax, meaning they reduce your taxable income for both federal and state income tax purposes, though not for FICA taxes. A $500/month 401(k) contribution reduces your gross pay by $500 but only reduces your paycheck by about $340 if you're in the 22% bracket — the government effectively contributes $160.
What is the federal standard deduction for 2026?
The 2026 standard deductions (projected with inflation adjustments): Single/MFS: ~$15,750, Head of Household: ~$23,625, Married Filing Jointly/Qualifying Surviving Spouse: ~$31,500. These amounts are higher than 2025 due to annual inflation adjustments.
What is the difference between gross pay and net pay?
Gross pay is your total pay before any deductions. Net pay (take-home pay) is what you actually receive after federal tax, state tax, FICA, and any voluntary deductions (401k, health insurance, FSA) are subtracted. For most Americans, net pay is 70–80% of gross pay.