Free Paycheck Calculator 2026 — Take-Home Pay by State
Calculate your net pay after federal taxes, Social Security, Medicare, and state deductions. Use our free paycheck calculator to compare take-home pay across all 50 states and optimize your withholding.
Your Payroll Inputs
Estimated Paycheck Results
| Gross Wages Per Period | $0 |
| Pre-tax Deductions | -$0 |
| Federal Income Tax Withheld | -$0 |
| Social Security (FICA 6.2%) | -$0 |
| Medicare (FICA 1.45%) | -$0 |
| Net Period Pay (Take-Home) | $0 |
| Annualized Net Total | $0 |
Visual Spending Breakdown
Includes federal income tax (progressive brackets with standard deduction), Social Security (6.2% up to $176,100), and Medicare (1.45% + 0.9% high-earner surtax). Excludes state taxes — select a state below for full results.
50-State Paycheck Calculators
State income taxes significantly impact your take-home pay. Select your state below for precise calculations including state tax brackets, local taxes, and FICA deductions.
Alabama
ALAlabama levies a progressive state income tax with brackets capping at 5.0%. When estimating your...
Alabama Paycheck CalculatorAlaska
AKAlaska does not levy any state personal income tax. Consequently, when you run your payroll numbers in...
Alaska Paycheck CalculatorArizona
AZThe Grand Canyon State simplified its tax structure to a flat 2.50% state income tax rate for all...
Arizona Paycheck CalculatorArkansas
ARArkansas personal income taxes are progressive, topping out at 4.4% for high-income earners. The state...
Arkansas Paycheck CalculatorCalifornia
CACalifornia features nine primary marginal income tax brackets with a top rate of 13.3%, along with a...
California Paycheck CalculatorColorado
COColorado uses a flat income tax rate of 4.40% assessed on federal taxable income. Additionally,...
Colorado Paycheck CalculatorConnecticut
CTConnecticut utilizes a multi-bracket progressive personal income tax structure that ranges up to...
Connecticut Paycheck CalculatorDelaware
DEDelaware applies graduated income tax brackets that top out at 6.6%. Individual municipal...
Delaware Paycheck CalculatorFlorida
FLFlorida does not levy a state personal income tax under its state constitution. Consequently, when you...
Florida Paycheck CalculatorGeorgia
GAGeorgia transitioned to a flat income tax structure, levying a 5.39% rate on personal wages. This...
Georgia Paycheck CalculatorHawaii
HIHawaii levies a comprehensive progressive state tax reaching an impressive 11.0% top rate. High energy...
Hawaii Paycheck CalculatorIdaho
IDIdaho utilizes a structured flat personal income tax of 5.695% on net taxable compensation. This...
Idaho Paycheck CalculatorIllinois
ILIllinois assesses a uniform flat rate of Illinois progressive components are avoided by its flat...
Illinois Paycheck CalculatorIndiana
INIndiana maintains a low flat state income tax of 3.05%. However, all Indiana workers must also account...
Indiana Paycheck CalculatorIowa
IAIowa transformed its tax system by adopting a competitive flat tax of 3.80% for 2025/2026. This major...
Iowa Paycheck CalculatorKansas
KSKansas levies state income taxes using a progressive model with rates capping at 5.70%. Proper...
Kansas Paycheck CalculatorKentucky
KYKentucky assesses a flat state rate of 4.00% on wage earnings. However, many Kentucky cities and...
Kentucky Paycheck CalculatorLouisiana
LALouisiana personal income taxes are parsed across three progressive brackets, topping out at a modest...
Louisiana Paycheck CalculatorMaine
MEMaine utilizes three progressive income tax steps: 5.8%, 6.75%, and a peak rate of 7.15%. Standard...
Maine Paycheck CalculatorMaryland
MDMaryland has a progressive state income tax topping out at 5.75%. In addition, Maryland workers must...
Maryland Paycheck CalculatorMassachusetts
MAMassachusetts assesses a flat 5.0% income tax on most ordinary wages and salaries. An additional 4.0%...
Massachusetts Paycheck CalculatorMichigan
MIMichigan keeps a flat state income tax rate of 4.25%. However, several Michigan cities (including...
Michigan Paycheck CalculatorMinnesota
MNMinnesota levies four progressive income tax brackets, start at 5.35% and reaching up to 9.85% for...
Minnesota Paycheck CalculatorMississippi
MSThe Magnolia State has converted its tax code to a flat 4.70% rate on all income exceeding the state...
Mississippi Paycheck CalculatorMissouri
MOMissouri personal income tax features a top rate of 4.80%. Furthermore, local earnings taxes in Kansas...
Missouri Paycheck CalculatorMontana
MTMontana structures personal wages across two progressive brackets of 4.75% and 5.9%. The Treasure...
Montana Paycheck CalculatorNebraska
NENebraska uses four progressive brackets that cap at 5.84% on personal income. Proper paycheck...
Nebraska Paycheck CalculatorNevada
NVNevada does not tax individuals on state-level wages under its state constitution. Therefore, Nevada...
Nevada Paycheck CalculatorNew Hampshire
NHNew Hampshire does not assess any state personal income tax on wage or salary compensation. This...
New Hampshire Paycheck CalculatorNew Jersey
NJNew Jersey personal income tax features seven brackets, capping at a maximum rate of 10.75%. Net wage...
New Jersey Paycheck CalculatorNew Mexico
NMNew Mexico levies progressive income taxes that scale from 1.7% up to 5.9%. The Land of Enchantment...
New Mexico Paycheck CalculatorNew York
NYNew York features a progressive state income tax topping out at 10.9%, combined with local income...
New York Paycheck CalculatorNorth Carolina
NCNorth Carolina assesses a uniform flat rate of 4.50% on personal earnings. This highly streamlined...
North Carolina Paycheck CalculatorNorth Dakota
NDNorth Dakota provides one of the lowest income tax structures in the USA, applying rates between 0%...
North Dakota Paycheck CalculatorOhio
OHOhio uses a streamlined flat state income tax rate of 3.5%. However, many Ohio cities and local school...
Ohio Paycheck CalculatorOklahoma
OKOklahoma uses six graduated income tax brackets that top out at 4.75%. Withholding calculations align...
Oklahoma Paycheck CalculatorOregon
OROregon personal income taxes are progressive, topping out at a high rate of 9.9%. Furthermore,...
Oregon Paycheck CalculatorPennsylvania
PAPennsylvania assesses a flat state income tax rate of 3.07% keying off gross compensation. Most PA...
Pennsylvania Paycheck CalculatorRhode Island
RIRhode Island levies personal income taxes across three progressive steps: 3.75%, 4.75%, and 5.99%,...
Rhode Island Paycheck CalculatorSouth Carolina
SCSouth Carolina personal income is progressive, peaking at 6.0%. The state recently consolidated...
South Carolina Paycheck CalculatorSouth Dakota
SDSouth Dakota has no state personal income tax under state mandates. Accordingly, your South Dakota...
South Dakota Paycheck CalculatorTennessee
TNTennessee does not assess state income taxes on wages and salary earnings. Because there are no...
Tennessee Paycheck CalculatorTexas
TXTexas constitutionally prohibits personal state income tax. Your Texas paycheck is only subject to...
Texas Paycheck CalculatorUtah
UTUtah levies a flat personal income tax of 4.55% on gross taxable earnings. This unified rate maintains...
Utah Paycheck CalculatorVermont
VTVermont implements a five-tier progressive state tax structure topping off at 8.75% on upper brackets,...
Vermont Paycheck CalculatorVirginia
VAVirginia levies graduated individual income taxes across four brackets capping at 5.75%. VA paycheck...
Virginia Paycheck CalculatorWashington
WAWashington State does not levy an individual state income tax on personal wage or salary compensation....
Washington Paycheck CalculatorWest Virginia
WVWest Virginia applies graduated income tax brackets that top out at 5.12%. Withholding calculations...
West Virginia Paycheck CalculatorWisconsin
WIWisconsin assesses four graduated income tax brackets starting at 3.5% and topping out at 7.65%. The...
Wisconsin Paycheck CalculatorWyoming
WYWyoming keeps its reputation as a tax haven by charging 0% individual personal income tax....
Wyoming Paycheck Calculator
Use your paycheck calculator before a raise, bonus, or benefits change so you can see how your take-home pay will shift in real life.
What Is a Paycheck Calculator?
A paycheck calculator estimates your take-home pay after federal, state, and payroll deductions. It helps employees, hourly workers, and job seekers understand the difference between gross pay and net pay before payday.
- Definition: A tool that converts gross earnings into expected take-home pay.
- Purpose: To show how taxes and deductions affect your actual paycheck.
- Who should use it: salaried employees, hourly workers, freelancers, contractors, and budget planners.
- How it helps: Compare pay frequencies, plan withholding, and preview net pay before a pay period ends.
Example: A worker earning $1,500 in gross biweekly pay can use this calculator to estimate whether their net pay will be closer to $1,130 or $1,230 after taxes and pre-tax contributions.
How Does a Paycheck Calculator Work?
A paycheck estimator works by applying payroll tax rules and deduction categories to your earnings. Follow this step-by-step workflow to understand the logic behind the calculation.
- Gross income: Enter your salary or hourly hours and pay rate.
- Federal income tax: Estimate withholding based on filing status and allowances.
- Social Security tax: Apply 6.2% of wages up to the annual wage base.
- Medicare tax: Apply 1.45% to most wages, plus additional Medicare tax if applicable.
- State income tax: Add state withholding based on the state where you work or live.
- Local taxes: Include city or county taxes when they apply.
- Pre-tax deductions: Subtract 401(k), HSA, medical, and other benefits before taxes.
- Post-tax deductions: Subtract items like union dues, garnishments, and after-tax insurance premiums.
- Net pay calculation: The result is your estimated take-home pay after all deductions.
Gross Pay vs Net Pay
| Gross Pay | Net Pay |
|---|---|
| Total earnings before taxes and deductions. | What you actually receive in your bank account. |
| Includes salary, hourly pay, overtime, commissions, and bonuses. | Subtracts federal, state, local taxes, and payroll deductions. |
| Used to compare job offers and calculate gross annual earnings. | Used for budgeting, bill payment, and savings planning. |
Practical example: If your weekly gross pay is $1,000 and your paycheck withholding is $230, your net pay will be $770. Understanding that gap helps you avoid surprises when payday arrives.
Common Paycheck Deductions
| Deduction | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Federal Tax | Income tax withheld for the IRS based on filing status and withholding allowances. |
| State Tax | State income tax withheld in most states; some states like Texas and Florida have none. |
| Local Tax | City or county tax withheld where applicable; common in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York. |
| Social Security | FICA payroll tax of 6.2% on wages up to the SSA wage base. |
| Medicare | FICA payroll tax of 1.45% on all wages; no wage limit. |
| Health Insurance | Employee share of premiums for medical coverage. |
| Dental Insurance | Premiums withheld for dental plans. |
| Vision Insurance | Premiums for vision care coverage. |
| HSA | Health Savings Account contributions reduce taxable income. |
| FSA | Flexible spending account contributions before tax for medical or dependent care. |
| Traditional 401(k) | Pre-tax retirement deferrals that lower your taxable paycheck basis. |
| Roth 401(k) | After-tax retirement deferrals; reduce net pay today while growing tax-free later. |
| Union Dues | Membership fees withheld for union representation and benefits. |
| Wage Garnishments | Court-ordered deductions for child support, taxes, or creditor debt. |
Understanding Federal Payroll Taxes
Federal Income Tax
Federal income tax is withheld from each paycheck based on IRS Form W-4 information, your filing status, and estimated annual income. It is the largest variable deduction for most workers and depends on committed withholdings rather than the paycheck amount alone.
Social Security Tax
Social Security is a flat 6.2% payroll tax on earned wages up to the annual wage base. In 2026, the wage base is indexed by the Social Security Administration, and once your earnings exceed that limit, Social Security withholding stops for the year.
Medicare Tax
Medicare tax is 1.45% of all wages, with no wage limit. This payroll tax funds Medicare Part A benefits and is mandatory for nearly all employees.
Additional Medicare Tax
Workers earning above $200,000 may also pay an additional 0.9% Medicare surtax on income above that threshold. This surcharge is separate from regular Medicare withholding and is required under IRS rules.
State Income Taxes and Their Impact
Your net paycheck depends heavily on state tax rules. Some states charge no income tax, while others use flat or progressive tax systems that change how much you take home.
- No income tax: Alaska, Florida, Nevada, South Dakota, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming do not withhold state income tax.
- Flat tax states: Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Pennsylvania tax income at a single rate.
- Progressive tax states: California, New York, Massachusetts, and many others increase the rate as income rises.
Example: A $75,000 salary in Texas may yield a higher net paycheck than the same salary in California, even after factoring identical federal withholding, because Texas has no state income tax.
Pay Frequency and Your Paycheck
| Pay Frequency | Paychecks per Year | Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weekly | 52 | Faster cash flow, easier short-term budgeting. | Smaller individual paychecks, more frequent accounting. |
| Biweekly | 26 | Stable rhythm, common for salaried and hourly workers. | Two extra pay periods in some years may complicate monthly budgeting. |
| Semimonthly | 24 | Predictable mid-month and end-of-month payments. | Pay periods vary in length, which can affect hourly workers. |
| Monthly | 12 | Easier long-term savings planning, fewer pay stubs. | Larger gaps between paydays and potential cash flow strain. |
Hourly vs Salary Paychecks
Hourly and salaried paychecks behave differently even with the same annual income. Knowing the distinction helps you predict overtime, benefits, and withholding.
- Hourly workers: Paid for each hour worked and often paid weekly or biweekly. Overtime pay may increase gross pay and affect withholdings.
- Salaried employees: Paid a fixed amount each pay period no matter actual hours worked.
- Overtime considerations: Non-exempt employees earn 1.5x pay for hours beyond 40 in a workweek, increasing both gross and withheld taxes.
- Exempt vs non-exempt: Exempt employees are usually salaried and not eligible for overtime, while non-exempt hourly employees receive overtime under the Fair Labor Standards Act.
How to Increase Your Take-Home Pay
- Adjust W-4 withholding: Update your IRS Form W-4 to better match your tax liability and reduce over-withholding.
- Increase pre-tax contributions: Contribute to a traditional 401(k), HSA, or FSA to lower taxable income.
- Use HSA accounts: Health Savings Account contributions reduce taxes while covering eligible medical costs.
- Maximize employer benefits: Choose employer-sponsored benefits that lower payroll taxes and out-of-pocket expenses.
- Plan with tax credits: Identify credits like the Earned Income Tax Credit or dependent care credits to maximize year-end refunds.
Example Paycheck Calculations
Example 1 — $50,000 Salary
A single filer with a $50,000 salary and standard deductions typically pays federal tax, Social Security, Medicare, and state tax in moderate amounts.
- Gross Pay: $50,000
- Estimated Taxes: $10,900
- Estimated Net Pay: $39,100
Example 2 — $75,000 Salary
At $75,000, federal withholding moves into a higher bracket, and net pay depends on state tax and retirement contributions.
- Gross Pay: $75,000
- Estimated Taxes: $17,700
- Estimated Net Pay: $57,300
Example 3 — $100,000 Salary
A $100,000 salary often includes additional Medicare tax considerations and may cross progressive state tax thresholds.
- Gross Pay: $100,000
- Estimated Taxes: $24,600
- Estimated Net Pay: $75,400
Example 4 — Hourly Worker
An hourly employee earning $25 per hour for 40 hours a week can compare different pay frequencies and overtime scenarios.
- Gross Pay: $52,000 annually
- Estimated Taxes: $11,300
- Estimated Net Pay: $40,700
Actual results vary by state, filing status, retirement contributions, health benefits, and local tax rules. Use this guide together with the calculator tool for the most accurate estimate.
Why Your Actual Paycheck May Differ
- Benefits deductions can lower your net pay more than expected.
- Retirement contributions change your taxable income before withholding.
- Bonuses and commissions can create higher withholding rates for a single paycheck.
- Overtime pay may increase both gross earnings and withheld taxes.
- State laws, local taxes, and employer payroll settings vary widely.
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Calculators
Want to estimate your real take-home pay from your annual salary?
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Open Salary CalculatorKey Takeaways
- A paycheck calculator helps you estimate take-home pay across federal, state, and local deductions.
- Gross pay is total earnings; net pay is what lands in your bank account after deductions.
- Federal Payroll taxes include federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare, and sometimes Additional Medicare Tax.
- State income tax rules vary widely; some states have no income tax, others use flat or progressive rates.
- Adjusting withholding, using pre-tax benefits, and understanding pay frequency can improve your paycheck planning.
This guide is educational and does not replace professional tax advice. For exact withholding and tax treatment, consult your employer or a qualified CPA and the IRS.