Free Online Paycheck Calculator & Take-Home Pay Estimator
Use our accurate paycheck calculator to convert your gross salary or hourly wages into net take-home pay. As an all-in-one paycheck calculator US workers rely on, you can see exactly how federal income taxes, FICA withholdings (Social Security & Medicare), state taxes, and 401(k) deductions impact your paycheck.
Paycheck Calculator AI — 2026 Take-Home Pay Estimate
Generated at paycheckcalculatorai.com • 100% Private Client-Side Calculation
Gross to Net Pay Calculations
Easily convert annual salary or hourly wages into take-home pay per paycheck. Our gross to net pay calculator automatically evaluates progressive IRS tax brackets, standard deductions, and payroll taxes.
Paycheck Calculator by State
From zero-tax states like Texas and Florida to progressive states like California and New York, test your compensation under any state tax jurisdiction.
401(k) & Benefit Optimizations
Simulate how pre-tax contributions to a traditional 401(k), Health Savings Account (HSA), or health insurance plan reduce your taxable wage base and increase your effective tax savings.
Pay Frequencies Explained
Provides consistent weekly cash flow, common in trades and retail.
Paid every other week; includes two 3-paycheck months each year.
Paid twice monthly on fixed dates (e.g., 15th and end of month).
One single deposit per month, common in academic and executive positions.
People Also Ask — US Paycheck & Take-Home Pay FAQs
High-volume payroll, tax, and deduction questions answered by our US payroll specialists.
01How do I calculate my take-home pay?Take-Home Pay
Your take-home pay (net pay) is calculated by taking your gross earnings and subtracting mandatory payroll deductions: Federal Income Tax (based on your W-4), FICA taxes (6.2% Social Security and 1.45% Medicare), state/local taxes (if applicable), and voluntary pre-tax deductions such as 401(k) contributions and health insurance premiums.
02What percentage of my paycheck goes to taxes in the US?Taxes
On average, US workers pay between 15% and 30% of their gross wages in total taxes. Mandatory FICA withholdings take 7.65% (6.2% Social Security up to the wage base limit plus 1.45% Medicare), while federal income tax withholding ranges progressively from 10% to 37%, and state income tax ranges from 0% (in states like Texas and Florida) to over 13% (in California).
03What is FICA tax on my paycheck?FICA Taxes
FICA stands for the Federal Insurance Contributions Act. It consists of two mandatory taxes withheld from employee wages: 6.2% for Social Security (capped at the annual wage base limit) and 1.45% for Medicare (plus an additional 0.9% for high-income earners above $200,000 for single filers).
04What is the difference between bi-weekly and semi-monthly pay?Pay Schedules
Bi-weekly pay occurs every two weeks on a specific weekday (e.g., every other Friday), resulting in 26 paychecks per year and two months with 3 paychecks. Semi-monthly pay occurs twice a month on specific dates (such as the 1st and 15th), resulting in exactly 24 paychecks per year with slightly larger individual checks.
05How does a 401(k) deduction affect my paycheck?401(k) & Benefits
Traditional 401(k) contributions are made with pre-tax dollars, which reduces your taxable income. For example, contributing $100 to a traditional 401(k) might only reduce your take-home pay by $75 to $80 because you pay less federal and state income tax on the remaining gross pay.
06Why is my paycheck smaller than expected?Paycheck Analysis
A paycheck may be smaller than expected due to payroll tax bracket withholdings, employer-sponsored benefits (medical, dental, vision insurance), retirement contributions (401k), state disability insurance, or wage garnishments. Checking your W-4 allowances and reviewing your pay stub line-by-line reveals the exact deductions.
07Do all US states have state income tax?State Taxes
No. There are currently 9 US states with no state income tax on earned wages: Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming. Workers in these states only pay federal income tax and FICA.
08How does filing status (Single vs Married) change my take-home pay?Filing Status
Your federal filing status sets your standard deduction and income bracket thresholds. In 2026, Married Filing Jointly receives a $30,000 standard deduction compared to $15,000 for Single filers, and bracket thresholds are twice as wide, resulting in less federal tax withheld and higher take-home pay for dual or single-income households.