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Read the guideSalary / Paycheck Calculator
Estimate yearly, monthly, and biweekly take-home pay with progressive federal tax, FICA, and state tax assumptions.
Annual take-home$0Net income after the assumptions above
Monthly net pay$0
Biweekly net pay$0
Total annual deductions$0
Net pay ratio0%
Paycheck insights
| Frequency | Gross | Estimated net |
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From salary to take-home pay
This calculator turns an annual salary into estimated take-home pay per year, month, two-week period and week. It deducts 2026 federal income tax after the standard deduction, Social Security and Medicare, a flat state tax rate, your pre-tax 401(k) or benefit deductions, and any post-tax deductions.
Use the monthly figure for budgeting. It is the money you can actually spend, save or put towards debt.
Worked example with the default values
A single filer earning $72,000, with $2,400 a year of pre-tax deductions and a 4% state rate:
- Federal income tax on $53,500 of taxable income: $6,482
- State tax at 4% of $69,600: $2,784
- Social Security and Medicare (7.65% of $72,000): $5,508
- Pre-tax deductions: $2,400
- Take-home pay: $54,826 a year, about $4,569 a month or $2,109 every two weeks, 76.1% of gross
The $2,400 of pre-tax deductions only reduced take-home pay by about $1,776, because it also lowered federal tax by $528 and state tax by $96.
Why your payslip may differ
- Your employer withholds tax using your W-4 and IRS tables, which rarely match an annual estimate exactly.
- Health premiums under a Section 125 plan also reduce Social Security and Medicare; 401(k) deferrals do not.
- States with brackets, and city taxes such as New York City’s, are not modelled precisely.
- Bonuses are often withheld at a flat 22% federal rate.
Want the full explanation? Read our guide: Gross vs Net Pay: How to Read Your US Paycheck.
How to use the Salary / Paycheck Calculator
- Enter gross pay, filing or tax status, and any pre-tax deductions.
- Review taxes, payroll deductions, and net pay together rather than focusing on salary alone.
- Use the take-home figure to build a monthly budget or compare job offers.
Net pay estimate
Net pay = gross pay − taxes − payroll deductions − post-tax deductions
- Gross pay: Salary before deductions
- Taxes: Estimated income tax and payroll tax
- Deductions: Retirement, insurance, or other adjustments
The calculator turns gross income into an estimated take-home figure so you can budget using the amount you are more likely to keep.
Quick planning notes for the Salary / Paycheck Calculator
Estimate net pay after federal, state, and FICA deductions. Start with a realistic baseline, then change one input at a time to see how the result moves. That makes it easier to compare scenarios and spot the trade-offs that matter most.
Salary planning notes
- Test your budget with conservative assumptions so the result still works after variable expenses.
- Compare gross pay, deductions, and savings side by side before committing to a new expense or target.
- Review the output together with tax and retirement pages to get a more realistic monthly plan.
Keep in mind
These results are designed for educational planning. Real-world figures can change based on official rates, lender fees, tax treatment, insurance, and personal circumstances.
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Frequently asked questions
Which states have no income tax?
Alaska, Florida, Nevada, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas and Wyoming have no tax on wages, and New Hampshire and Washington do not tax regular wage income. Enter 0% for these.
How do I compare two job offers?
Run each salary with its own state rate and benefit deductions, then compare the monthly take-home figures rather than the headline salaries.
Why are there two extra paychecks some months?
With biweekly pay you receive 26 paychecks a year, so two months each year contain three paydays.
Can I change how much tax is withheld?
Yes. Submit a new Form W-4 to your employer. The IRS Tax Withholding Estimator can help you choose the right settings.
Guides on this topic
Plain-English explanations to help you read the result above.
Gross vs Net Pay: How to Read Your US Paycheck
Every line between gross pay and take-home pay: federal and state withholding, Social Security, Medicare, pre-tax and post-tax deductions.
Read the guideUS Tax Brackets for 2026: Marginal vs Effective Tax Rate
The 2026 federal tax brackets and standard deduction, a worked example, and why a raise never lowers your take-home pay.
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