Take-Home Pay Calculator
See your real paycheck after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare, and state income tax — for all 50 states, using 2026 brackets.
How this paycheck calculator works
Your gross salary is never what lands in your bank account. This calculator estimates your real take-home pay by subtracting the four things that come out of nearly every American paycheck: federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare, and — in most states — state income tax. If you contribute to a traditional 401(k), that comes out before income tax too, which lowers your taxable income.
Federal income tax is calculated on a progressive basis using the 2026 brackets, after subtracting the standard deduction and any pre-tax 401(k) contribution. Social Security is withheld at 6.2% up to the annual wage base, and Medicare at 1.45% on all wages, with an extra 0.9% on high earnings. State income tax is then applied using your state's rate structure.
Key terms explained
Gross vs. net pay. Gross is your salary before any deductions. Net — your take-home pay — is what remains after taxes and pre-tax benefits.
Federal income tax. Charged in brackets: only the income within each bracket is taxed at that bracket's rate, so a raise never costs you money overall. The 2026 standard deduction is $16,100 for single filers and $32,200 for married couples filing jointly.
FICA (Social Security + Medicare). A flat payroll tax. Social Security applies only up to the wage base ($184,500 in 2026); earnings above that are not subject to the 6.2%. Medicare has no cap, and high earners pay an additional 0.9% above $200,000 (single) or $250,000 (married).
State income tax. Varies widely. Nine states levy none at all; others use a flat rate or progressive brackets. Our state figures are simplified estimates and exclude local city taxes and state-specific credits.
2026 take-home pay reference
Where you live can change your take-home pay by thousands of dollars a year on the same salary. A six-figure earner in Texas or Florida keeps noticeably more than the same earner in California or New York, simply because of state income tax. If you are weighing a job offer in another state, run both states here to see the real difference.
Once you know your net pay, the common next question is how much house or car you can afford. Pair this with our mortgage calculator to keep your housing cost in line with take-home pay, and our retirement calculator to see how much to set aside. Always confirm your exact withholding with your employer and a tax professional.