Payroll
Paycheck Calculator
Calculate your take-home pay after federal and state taxes, Social Security, Medicare, and pre-tax deductions. Supports hourly and salary employees with 2026 federal tax brackets.
Paycheck Breakdown
| Item | Per Period | Annual | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross Pay | $75,000.00 | $75,000.00 | 100.0% |
| Federal Income Tax | $7,670.00 | $7,670.00 | 10.23% |
| California Tax | $2,940.85 | $2,940.85 | 3.92% |
| Social Security | $4,650.00 | $4,650.00 | 6.20% |
| Medicare | $1,087.50 | $1,087.50 | 1.45% |
| Take-Home Pay | $58,651.65 | $58,651.65 | 78.20% |
Understanding Your Paycheck
Your paycheck is calculated by starting with your gross pay, then subtracting required taxes and voluntary deductions. Federal income tax uses progressive brackets, you pay higher rates only on income above each threshold. State income tax varies widely: 0% in Texas and Florida, up to 13.3% in California.
FICA taxes are fixed: Social Security is 6.2% on wages up to $184,500 (2026 wage base), and Medicare is 1.45% on all wages (plus 0.9% on income over $200,000). Your employer matches these amounts. Unlike federal income tax, FICA is a flat rate with no brackets or deductions.
Federal Tax
Progressive brackets (10–37%). Standard deduction reduces taxable income.
State Tax
Varies by state: 0% in 8 states, flat rates in others, brackets in CA/NY.
FICA
7.65% total: 6.2% SS (wage base applies) + 1.45% Medicare (no limit).
Salary to Hourly Conversion
To compare job offers or understand your equivalent hourly rate:
| Annual Salary | Hourly (40hr/wk) | Monthly | Weekly |
|---|---|---|---|
| $40,000 | $19.23/hr | $3333 | $769 |
| $50,000 | $24.04/hr | $4167 | $962 |
| $60,000 | $28.85/hr | $5000 | $1154 |
| $75,000 | $36.06/hr | $6250 | $1442 |
| $100,000 | $48.08/hr | $8333 | $1923 |
| $125,000 | $60.10/hr | $10417 | $2404 |
| $150,000 | $72.12/hr | $12500 | $2885 |
Assumes 40-hour workweek (2,080 hours/year). Use hourly mode in calculator for different hours.
How Progressive Tax Brackets Actually Work
A common misconception is that moving into a higher tax bracket means your entire income gets taxed at that higher rate. It does not. Under the progressive system, only the income that falls within each bracket is taxed at that bracket's rate, everything below it is still taxed at the lower rates.
Worked example: $60,000 salary, single filer
After the $16,100 standard deduction, taxable income is $43,900:
- First $12,400 taxed at 10% = $1,240
- Remaining $31,500 taxed at 12% = $3,780
- Total federal tax = $5,020
That is an effective rate of just 8.37% of gross pay, even though the marginal rate (the rate on the last dollar earned) is 12%. This calculator's breakdown table always shows both figures, since the effective rate is what actually determines your paycheck.
Understanding State Income Tax Types
Select any of the 50 states plus DC in the calculator above; each falls into one of three tax structures:
No income tax
Alaska, Florida, Nevada, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming. Your paycheck only shows federal and FICA deductions.
Flat rate
A single rate applies to all taxable income regardless of how much you earn. Pennsylvania (3.07%) and Illinois (4.95%) are long-standing examples.
Progressive brackets
Rates rise with income, mirroring the federal system. California and New York use this structure, with top marginal rates well above 10% for high earners.
Because most states start from your federal taxable income (after the standard deduction and pre-tax deductions), lowering your federal taxable income through a 401(k) contribution typically lowers your state tax bill too, this calculator applies that same taxable income figure to both federal and state calculations.