US Paycheck Calculator
Calculate your net take-home pay after federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare (FICA), and state tax — for any pay frequency.
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How to use this calculator
- 1
Enter your annual gross salary and pay frequency.
- 2
Select your W-4 filing status — this determines federal withholding.
- 3
Enter your 401(k) contribution rate — pre-tax contributions reduce your federal taxable income.
- 4
Enter your state income tax rate — use 0% for Texas, Florida, Nevada, Washington; ~13% for California top rate.
Frequently asked questions
What is FICA and how much is withheld?
FICA (Federal Insurance Contributions Act) funds Social Security and Medicare. Employees pay 6.2% for Social Security (on the first $168,600 of wages in 2024) and 1.45% for Medicare (on all wages, plus 0.9% additional Medicare on wages over $200,000 for single filers). Your employer matches these amounts.
How does a 401(k) contribution reduce my paycheck?
Traditional 401(k) contributions are pre-tax — they reduce your federal (and usually state) taxable income. If you contribute 6% of an $80,000 salary ($4,800), you avoid paying federal, state, and Social Security tax on that $4,800. The actual paycheck reduction is less than $4,800 — typically $3,000–$3,500 — because you're saving taxes on it.
Which states have no income tax?
As of 2024: Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire (only taxes investment income, phasing out), South Dakota, Tennessee (phased out), Texas, Washington, and Wyoming have no wage income tax. Texas and Nevada have no state income tax but have higher property taxes.
What is the difference between gross and net pay?
Gross pay is your full salary before any withholding. Net pay (take-home) is what hits your bank account after federal tax, FICA, state/local taxes, and pre-tax benefit deductions (401k, health insurance, FSA) are withheld. The gap between gross and net is typically 25–40% for most US workers.
US Paycheck Calculator — Net take-home pay after all taxes
How to use the us paycheck
Use this us paycheck to estimate your take-home pay after federal taxes, FICA, and Us Paycheck state taxes. Calculate your net take-home pay after federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare (FICA), and state tax — for any pay frequency.
Us Paycheck paycheck deductions breakdown
Enter your gross pay and pay frequency (weekly, bi-weekly, semi-monthly, or monthly). Select your federal filing status and state filing status. Add any pre-tax deductions like 401(k) contributions or health insurance — these reduce your taxable income. The calculator shows federal tax, state tax, Social Security, Medicare, and net take-home pay.
Maximise your Us Paycheck take-home pay
Your Us Paycheck paycheck depends on several factors: gross salary, pay frequency, filing status, allowances, and pre-tax benefits. Understanding your withholdings helps you plan for tax season. If your employer withholds too much, you get a refund in April. Too little, and you owe money. Use the IRS Withholding Estimator alongside this tool for precise W-4 planning.
How federal payroll taxes work in 2024
Your employer withholds three federal taxes every paycheck: federal income tax (based on your W-4 and tax brackets), Social Security (6.2% up to $168,600 wage base), and Medicare (1.45% with no cap, plus 0.9% additional above $200K). Combined, FICA taxes are 7.65% for most workers — and your employer matches this separately.
Maximizing take-home pay legally
Key levers: claim all allowances/adjustments on your W-4, maximize pre-tax 401(k) contributions ($23,000 in 2024), enroll in an HSA or FSA if available (reduces FICA basis too), and take advantage of employer-sponsored benefits paid pre-tax (health, dental, vision, commuter). Increasing 401(k) from 0% to 10% on a $100,000 salary saves roughly $3,000 in annual taxes.
Learn more from an authoritative source:
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Results are estimates for informational purposes only and do not constitute professional financial, medical, legal, or technical advice. Read full disclaimer →