Paychecks
Paycheck Calculator
Estimate your take-home pay after federal income tax, FICA, state tax, and pre-tax deductions like 401(k) and health insurance. Enter your gross pay and we'll show you the net you'll actually see in your bank account.
Paychecks
Paycheck Calculator
Result
The gap between your salary and what lands in your bank account can be a real shock — especially on your first paycheck at a new job. The difference is roughly 20-35% of gross pay for most US workers, and it comes from a stack of separate deductions that aren't always obvious on a pay stub. This calculator strips out each layer so you can see where the money actually goes.
How this calculator works
You enter your gross pay (hourly rate × hours, or annual salary ÷ pay periods) and the calculator subtracts:
- Federal income tax, based on your filing status and gross pay using current bracket rates.
- FICA — Social Security (6.2% up to the wage cap) and Medicare (1.45%, plus 0.9% surtax above $200,000).
- State income tax, if applicable in your state.
- Pre-tax deductions you specify: 401(k), HSA, FSA, health insurance premiums, transit passes.
The result is your estimated net pay — the actual deposit hitting your account.
What your result actually tells you
Most people are surprised by two things on their first pay stub: how much goes to federal taxes, and how much goes to FICA. Federal income tax is progressive (the rate climbs as income climbs), so high earners see a bigger bite. FICA is flat — 7.65% off every dollar up to the Social Security wage cap ($168,600 for 2024) — and it applies even to people who pay zero federal income tax due to credits and deductions.
If your net pay feels lower than you expected, check your pay stub for the actual breakdown. The biggest variables across people earning the same salary are usually state taxes (a Texas worker takes home noticeably more than a California worker at the same gross), 401(k) contributions (each dollar lowers taxable income), and health insurance premiums (which vary wildly by employer plan).
Gross vs net pay: the real math
Gross pay (biweekly): $2,884
Federal income tax: ~$330
FICA: ~$221
Net (without other deductions): ~$2,333
That's roughly 81% of gross. Add a 10% 401(k) contribution and pre-tax health insurance, and net drops closer to ~$2,000, or 69% of gross.
The state tax gap is bigger than people realize
Nine states have no state income tax: Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire (on wages), South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming. On a $100,000 salary, the difference between living in California (top state bracket 13.3%) and Texas (0%) is roughly $5,000-$8,000 in annual take-home pay depending on deductions and filing status. This is a real consideration when comparing job offers across states.
Why pre-tax deductions matter so much
A dollar contributed to a traditional 401(k) lowers your taxable income by a dollar. If you're in the 22% federal bracket and 5% state bracket, that dollar saves you 27¢ in immediate taxes — so the "cost" of contributing a dollar is only 73¢ of net pay. The same principle applies to HSA contributions (which avoid FICA too, making them the most tax-advantaged account in the US system), FSA contributions, and traditional IRA deductions.
This is also why a Roth 401(k) feels like a smaller paycheck cut even though the same dollar is going in — Roth contributions are made with after-tax dollars, so you don't get the upfront deduction. (You get tax-free growth and withdrawals instead, which can be a better deal long-term depending on your bracket trajectory.)
What this calculator doesn't capture
Real pay stubs include details this estimator simplifies away:
- Local income tax, which applies in cities like NYC, Philadelphia, and parts of Ohio and Pennsylvania.
- Other deductions like garnishments, retirement loan repayments, dependent care FSA, or commuter benefits.
- Bonus paychecks, which are typically withheld at a flat 22% federal rate (not your marginal rate), which can make them feel surprisingly small until you reconcile at tax time.
- Tip income, which has its own reporting and withholding rules for restaurant and service workers.
The estimate is meant to give you a realistic ballpark, not replace your actual pay stub or a tax professional. If your withholding feels significantly off when you file your taxes, adjust your W-4 — too much withholding means a refund (an interest-free loan to the IRS), too little means an unexpected bill in April.
Common questions
How much of my paycheck goes to taxes?
For most US workers, roughly 20-35% of gross pay goes to combined taxes (federal income, FICA, state). The exact split depends on your salary, filing status, state, and deductions. Higher earners pay a higher share due to progressive federal brackets; workers in states with no income tax (Texas, Florida, etc.) keep more.
What is FICA on my paycheck?
FICA is the Federal Insurance Contributions Act tax — it funds Social Security and Medicare. It's 7.65% of your gross pay: 6.2% for Social Security (capped at $168,600 of wages in 2024) plus 1.45% for Medicare. High earners pay an additional 0.9% Medicare surtax on wages above $200,000. Your employer matches the FICA contribution, but you don't see that side of it on your stub.
Why is my first paycheck smaller than I expected?
Three common reasons: federal and state income tax withholding (typically 12-24% combined for middle incomes), FICA (7.65%), and benefit deductions (health insurance and 401(k) contributions). Together these can take 25-35% off your gross. Your first paycheck may also be partial if you started mid-pay-period or if benefit elections weren't finalized.
How does a 401(k) contribution affect my paycheck?
Traditional 401(k) contributions reduce your taxable income, so each dollar contributed costs less than a dollar in take-home pay. If you're in the 22% federal bracket and pay 5% state tax, a $100 contribution only reduces your paycheck by about $73. Roth 401(k) contributions don't get this upfront tax break — they cost the full $100 in take-home — but they grow and withdraw tax-free.
Is biweekly or semi-monthly pay better?
Neither is mathematically better — they pay the same annual amount. Biweekly (every 2 weeks) means 26 paychecks per year. Semi-monthly (twice a month) means 24 paychecks. Biweekly workers get two 'extra' paychecks per year (the months with 3 pay dates), which feel like bonuses but are really just spreading the same annual salary over more pay periods.
How much tax is withheld from a bonus?
The IRS allows employers to use a flat 22% federal withholding on bonuses up to $1 million, regardless of your actual marginal tax rate. This can make a bonus check look smaller than expected if your marginal rate is below 22%, or feel like a tax windfall if it's above. The actual tax owed gets reconciled when you file your annual return.
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WalletCalcs provides educational estimates only. Results are not financial, tax, lending, legal, or investment advice. Always confirm important decisions with the appropriate professional or provider.