Paycheck Calculator: Take-Home Pay After Taxes (2026)

Enter your salary or hourly wage to see what you actually take home after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and state tax.

Paycheck calculators by state

• States with no income tax (9)
• Colorado
• Georgia
• Illinois
• Kentucky
• Michigan
• North Carolina
• Pennsylvania
• California
• New York

What comes out of a US paycheck?

Four things usually reduce gross pay: federal income tax, Social Security (6.2%), Medicare (1.45%), and in most states a state income tax. Pre-tax deductions such as 401(k) contributions, health premiums and HSA contributions lower the amount that income tax is based on.

How the numbers are calculated

1. Gross pay is your salary, or your hourly wage times hours worked per week times 52.
2. Retirement contributions you enter are subtracted before income tax is figured.
3. Federal income tax applies the 2026 standard deduction for your filing status ($16,100 single, $32,200 married filing jointly, $24,150 head of household) and then the marginal brackets from 10% to 37%.
4. FICA is 6.2% Social Security on wages up to $184,500, plus 1.45% Medicare on all wages and an extra 0.9% on wages above $200,000.
5. State income tax is a flat percentage in some states and zero in others.

Why your real paycheck may differ

This is an estimate. Your employer withholds based on your Form W-4, so extra withholding, dependents, credits, health insurance premiums, HSA or FSA deductions, union dues, wage garnishments and city or county taxes can all move your actual take-home up or down. Bonuses are often withheld at a flat 22% federal rate, which can differ from the annualized method used here. For exact amounts, check your pay stub or ask your payroll department.

Frequently asked questions