Paycheck Calculator

Your paycheck starts with gross pay, then subtracts pre-tax deductions (401(k), health insurance, HSA) which lower your taxable income. Federal income tax is computed using progressive brackets after the standard deduction. State tax applies as a flat percentage. FICA takes 6.2% for Social Security (up to the $168,600 wage base) and 1.45% for Medicare, plus an additional 0.9% Medicare surtax on income over $200,000.

For 2026, Social Security tax (6.2%) only applies to the first $168,600 of wages. Any earnings above this threshold are not subject to Social Security tax. Medicare tax (1.45%) has no wage cap, and an additional 0.9% Medicare surtax applies to earnings above $200,000 for single filers.

Pre-tax deductions like 401(k) contributions, health insurance premiums, and HSA contributions are subtracted from your gross pay before federal and state income taxes are calculated. This reduces your taxable income dollar-for-dollar, so a $500/month 401(k) contribution might only reduce your take-home pay by about $400 because you save roughly $100 in income taxes.

This calculator uses the standard deduction and flat state tax rates. Your actual paycheck may differ due to itemized deductions, tax credits, local or city taxes, union dues, garnishments, life insurance premiums, disability insurance, and other employer-specific deductions. Use your pay stub for exact figures and this calculator for planning purposes.