Calculate Your Take-Home Pay Accurately
Ever wonder why your bank deposit never matches your salary?
Your paycheck takes a journey through federal taxes, Social Security, Medicare, and your personal deductions before reaching your account.
Stop playing guessing games with your finances—our precise paycheck calculator shows you exactly where every dollar goes. In 30 seconds, you’ll know your true take-home pay, down to the penny.
Gross To Net Calculator
The amount that remains after these deductions are considered your net pay.
US Paycheck Calculator – Calculate Your Take-Home Salary
Are you wondering how much of your salary actually ends up in your pocket? Our user-friendly US salary paycheck calculator erases the guesswork of estimating your take-home salary.
Whether you are single, married, or belong to any industry or state, our calculator will help you calculate your exact earnings and see how your paycheck looks after taxes and deductions.
Understanding Your Paycheck
Now that you have used our paycheck calculator, let’s better understand your paycheck. It’s not just the final number but knowing where every dollar goes. Here’s a breakdown of your paycheck to help you make informed decisions:
What is Gross Pay?
When you look at your paycheck, the first number you’ll see is your gross pay. It is your total earnings before any deductions and includes all forms of compensation – base salary, overtime, and bonuses.
What is Net Pay?
Net pay is the actual amount in your bank account – your take-home salary. It’s the amount left off the gross pay after deducting taxes, Social Security, Medicare, retirement contributions and other contributions.
Understanding the basic components of your paycheck is just the beginning. In the next section, let’s explore the various factors influencing your final take-home amount.
Factors Affecting Your Paycheck in the US
Now that we’ve covered the basics of gross and net pay, let’s understand the various elements that impact your take-home salary. Your take-home salary is shaped by taxes, deductions, and contributions that vary depending on your state, marital status, and other factors.
Federal Income Tax Withholding
When calculating your paycheck in the US, one of the most significant deductions you’ll encounter in federal income tax withholding (FITW). This amount is withheld from your salary to cover your federal tax obligations. The amount withheld depends on your income, filing status, and the number of allowances or deductions you claim.
Understanding the tax brackets can help you gain a better hold over your financial plans. Here are the 2024 tax brackets, which determine how much federal income tax you owe, based on your filing status.
2023 Tax Brackets (Taxes Due in April 2024)
| Tax Rate | Single | Married Filing Separately | Head of Household | Married Filing Jointly |
| 10% | Not over $11,000 | Not over $11,000 | Not over $15,700 | Not over $22,000 |
| 12% | Over $11,000 but not over $44,725 | Over $11,000 but not over $44,725 | Over $15,700 but not over $59,850 | Over $22,000 but not over $89,450 |
| 22% | Over $44,725 but not over $95,375 | Over $44,725 but not over $95,375 | Over $59,850 but not over $95,350 | Over $89,450 but not over $190,750 |
| 24% | Over $95,375 but not over $182,100 | Over $95,375 but not over $182,100 | Over $95,350 but not over $182,100 | Over $190,750 but not over $364,200 |
| 32% | Over $182,100 but not over $231,250 | Over $182,100 but not over $231,250 | Over $182,100 but not over $231,250 | Over $364,200 but not over $462,500 |
| 35% | Over $231,250 but not over $578,125 | Over $231,250 but not over $346,875 | Over $231,250 but not over $578,100 | Over $462,500 but not over $693,750 |
| 37% | Over $578,125 | Over $346,875 | Over $578,100 | Over $693,750 |
2023 Tax Brackets for Single Filer
| Tax Rate | If Taxable Income Is | The Tax Due Is |
| 10% | Not over $11,000 | 10% of taxable income |
| 12% | Over $11,000 but not over $44,725 | $1,100 plus 12% of the excess over $11,000 |
| 22% | Over $44,725 but not over $95,375 | $5,147 plus 22% of the excess over $44,725 |
| 24% | Over $95,375 but not over $182,100 | $16,290 plus 24% of the excess over $95,375 |
| 32% | Over $182,100 but not over $231,250 | $37,104 plus 32% of the excess over $182,100 |
| 35% | Over $231,250 but not over $578,125 | $52,832 plus 35% of the excess over $231,250 |
| 37% | Over $578,125 | $174,238.25 plus 37% of the excess over $578,125 |
2023 Tax Bracket for Married Filing Separately
| Tax Rate | If Taxable Income Is | The Tax Due Is |
| 10% | Not over $11,000 | 10% of taxable income |
| 12% | Over $11,000 but not over $44,725 | $1,100 plus 12% of the excess over $11,000 |
| 22% | Over $44,725 but not over $95,375 | $5,147 plus 22% of the excess over $44,725 |
| 24% | Over $95,375 but not over $182,100 | $16,290 plus 24% of the excess over $95,375 |
| 32% | Over $182,100 but not over $231,250 | $37,104 plus 32% of the excess over $182,100 |
| 35% | Over $231,250 but not over $578,125 | $52,832 plus 35% of the excess over $231,250 |
| 37% | Over $578,125 | $93,300.75 plus 37% of the excess over $346,875 |
2023 Tax Bracket for Married Filing Jointly
| Tax Rate | If Taxable Income Is | The Tax Due Is |
| 10% | Not over $22,000 | 10% of taxable income |
| 12% | Over $22,000 but not over $89,450 | $2,200 plus 12% of the excess over $22,000 |
| 22% | Over $89,450 but not over $190,750 | $10,294 plus 22% of the excess over $89,450 |
| 24% | Over $190,750 but not over $364,200 | $32,580 plus 24% of the excess over $190,750 |
| 32% | Over $364,200 but not over $462,500 | $74,208 plus 32% of the excess over $364,200 |
| 35% | Over $462,500 but not over $693,750 | $105,664 plus 35% of the excess over $462,500 |
| 37% | Over $693,750 | $186,601.50 plus 37% of the excess over $693,750 |
2023 Tax Bracket for Head of Household
| Tax Rate | If Taxable Income Is | The Tax Due Is |
| 10% | Not over $15,700 | 10% of taxable income |
| 12% | Over $15,700 but not over $59,850 | $1,570 plus 12% of the excess over $15,700 |
| 22% | Over $59,850 but not over $95,350 | $6,868 plus 22% of the excess over $59,850 |
| 24% | Over $95,350 but not over $182,100 | $14,678 plus 24% of the excess over $95,350 |
| 32% | Over $182,100 but not over $231,250 | $35,498 plus 32% of the excess over $182,100 |
| 35% | Over $231,250 but not over $578,100 | $51,226 plus 35% of the excess over $231,250 |
| 37% | Over $578,100 | $172,623.50 plus 37% of the excess over $578,100 |
As we prepare for the next tax year, it’s important to stay updated on the new brackets. Here it is:
2024 Tax Brackets (Tax Dues in April 2025)
| Tax Rate | Single | Married Filing Separately | Head of Household | Married Filing Jointly |
| 10% | Not over $11,600 | Not over $11,600 | Not over $16,550 | Not over $23,200 |
| 12% | Over $11,600 but not over $47,150 | Over $11,600 but not over $47,150 | Over $16,550 but not over $63,100 | Over $23,200 but not over $94,300 |
| 22% | Over $47,150 but not over $100,525 | Over $47,150 but not over $100,525 | Over $63,100 but not over $100,500 | Over $94,300 but not over $201,050 |
| 24% | Over $100,525 but not over $191,950 | Over $100,525 but not over $191,950 | Over $100,500 but not over $191,950 | Over $201,050 but not over $383,900 |
| 32% | Over $191,950 but not over $243,725 | Over $191,950 but not over $243,725 | Over $191,950 but not over $243,700 | Over $383,900 but not over $487,450 |
| 35% | Over $243,725 but not over $609,350 | Over $243,725 but not over $365,600 | Over $243,700 but not over $609,350 | Over $487,450 but not over $731,200 |
| 37% | Over $609,350 | Over $365,600 | Over $609,350 | Over $731,200 |
2024 Tax Brackets for Single Filer
| Tax Rate | If Taxable Income Is | The Tax Due Is |
| 10% | Not over $11,600 | 10% of taxable income |
| 12% | Over $11,600 but not over $47,150 | $1,160 plus 12% of the excess over $11,600 |
| 22% | Over $47,150 but not over $100,525 | $5,426 plus 22% of the excess over $47,150 |
| 24% | Over $100,525 but not over $191,950 | $17,168.50 plus 24% of the excess over $100,525 |
| 32% | Over $191,950 but not over $243,725 | $39,110.50 plus 32% of the excess over $191,950 |
| 35% | Over $243,725 but not over $609,350 | $55,678.50 plus 35% of the excess over $243,725 |
| 37% | Over $609,350 | $183,647.25 plus 37% of the excess over $609,350 |
2024 Tax Bracket for Married Filing Separately
| Tax Rate | If Taxable Income Is | The Tax Due Is |
| 10% | Not over $11,600 | 10% of taxable income |
| 12% | Over $11,600 but not over $47,150 | $1,160 plus 12% of the excess over $11,600 |
| 22% | Over $47,150 but not over $100,525 | $5,426 plus 22% of the excess over $47,150 |
| 24% | Over $100,525 but not over $191,950 | $17,168.50 plus 24% of the excess over $100,525 |
| 32% | Over $191,950 but not over $243,725 | $39,110.50 plus 32% of the excess over $191,950 |
| 35% | Over $243,725 but not over $365,600 | $55,678.50 plus 35% of the excess over $243,725 |
| 37% | Over $365,600 | $98,334.75 plus 37% of the excess over $365,600 |
2024 Tax Bracket for Married Filing Jointly
| Tax Rate | If Taxable Income Is | The Tax Due Is |
| 10% | Not over $23,200 | 10% of taxable income |
| 12% | Over $23,200 but not over $94,300 | $2,320 plus 12% of the excess over $23,200 |
| 22% | Over $94,300 but not over $201,050 | $10,852 plus 22% of the excess over $94,300 |
| 24% | Over $201,050 but not over $383,900 | $34,337 plus 24% of the excess over $201,050 |
| 32% | Over $383,900 but not over $487,450 | $78,221 plus 32% of the excess over $383,900 |
| 35% | Over $487,450 but not over $731,200 | $111,357 plus 35% of the excess over $487,450 |
| 37% | Over $731,200 | $196,669.50 plus 37% of the excess over $731,200 |
2024 Tax Bracket for Head of Household
| Tax Rate | If Taxable Income Is | The Tax Due Is |
| 10% | Not over $16,550 | 10% of taxable income |
| 12% | Over $16,550 but not over $63,100 | $1,655 plus 12% of the excess over $16,550 |
| 22% | Over $63,100 but not over $100,500 | $7,241 plus 22% of the excess over $63,100 |
| 24% | Over $100,500 but not over $191,950 | $15,469 plus 24% of the excess over $100,500 |
| 32% | Over $191,950 but not over $243,700 | $37,417 plus 32% of the excess over $191,950 |
| 35% | Over $243,700 but not over $609,350 | $53,977 plus 35% of the excess over $243,700 |
| 37% | Over $609,350 | $181,954.50 plus 37% of the excess over $609,350 |
Source: https://www.irs.gov/media/166986
As it’s clear that federal income tax plays a crucial role in deciding the numbers on your paycheck, let’s break down its calculation for you.
How to Calculate Federal Tax Withholding?
Here is a basic step-by-step guide to determine the right federal withholding to deduct from your paycheck:
- Start with your gross pay: The total earnings before deductions, including salary, bonuses, or other compensation.
- Apply withholding instructions: The IRS provides guidelines through Treasury Department Circular E, which employers use to determine their tax withholdings.
- Special cases for non-resident aliens: If you’re a non-resident alien working in the US, the rules vary based on whether you’re earning income inside or outside the country. For example, you are not subjected to federal tax withholding for income outside the US.
- One-time payments: For one-time payments like bonuses, employers may combine them with your regular pay and apply the usual rate or apply a flat 28% withholding rate to the one-time amount.
State Income Tax Withholding
Now that we’ve covered federal tax withholding, let’s discuss the next critical factor – state tax withholding.
State tax withholding is the portion of your paycheck that covers the taxes you owe to your state of residence. In certain situations, taxpayers may be liable for taxes in more than one state. For example, if you work remotely and live across multiple states throughout the year, you might owe taxes to each state you reside in.
Here is a table explaining the tax withholding rates of the states:
| Tax Withholding Default Rates | Non-Periodic Payment | Periodic Payment | ||
| Rollover Eligible | Non-Rollover Eligible | Rollover Eligible | Non-Rollover Eligible | |
| Federal | 20% | 10% | 20% | Single with
0 Allowances |
| Arkansas | 5% | 3% | 5% | Married with
3 Allowances |
| California | 10% of Federal
Withholding |
10% of Federal
Withholding |
10% of Federal
Withholding |
10% of Federal
Withholding |
| Connecticut | 6.99% | 6.99% | 6.99% | 6.99% |
| Delaware | 5% | 5% | Single with 0 Allowances | Single with
0 Allowances |
| District of Columbia | 8.95% on full
distributions, otherwise the default is no withholding |
8.95% on full
distributions, otherwise the default is no withholding |
No Withholding | No Withholding |
| Georgia | No Withholding | No Withholding | Married with
3 Allowances |
Married with
3 Allowances |
| Iowa | 5% | 5% | 5% | 5% |
| Kansas | 5% | No Withholding | 5% | No Withholding |
| Maine | 5% | 5% | 5% | Single with
0 Allowances |
| Maryland | 7.75% | No Withholding | 7.75% | No Withholding |
| Massachusetts | 0 Exemptions | 0 Exemptions | 0 Exemptions | 0 Exemptions |
| Michigan | 4.25% | 4.25% | 4.25% | 4.25% |
| Minnesota | Single with
0 allowances |
Single with
0 allowances |
Single with
0 allowances |
Single with
0 allowances |
| Nebraska | 5% | 5% | 5% | Married with
3 Allowances |
| North Carolina | 4% | 4% | Single with
0 allowances |
Single with
0 allowances |
| Oklahoma | 5% | 5% | Married with
3 Allowances |
Married with
3 Allowances |
| Oregon | 8% | 8% | Single with
0 Allowances |
Single with
0 Allowances |
| Vermont | 30% of Federal
Withholding |
30% of Federal
Withholding |
Married with
0 allowances |
Married with
3 Allowances |
| Viriginia | 4% | 4% | 0 Exemptions | 0 Exemptions |
Source: https://www.tiaa.org/public/pdf/t/tax_withholding_rules.pdf
Just like federal tax, a few states mentioned in the table have their own rules and rates for income tax withholding. Let’s understand how it’s calculated.
How is State Income Tax Withholding Calculated?
State income tax withholding is based on your taxable income and the specific tax rates set by your state. To gather information, you can check the state’s particular circulars or the IRS website. Here’s a simple breakdown of the process:
- Determine taxable income: Start with your gross pay and apply the specific deductions, exemptions, and credits.
- Use state-specific tax rates: Every state has tax brackets or flat rates. Your employer uses it, and your filing status is used to calculate the withheld amount.
- Special situations: If you owe taxes to more than one state, the withholding is split among them.
With the state tax withholdings clear, let’s move on to the next factor impacting your take-home salary in the next section.
Other Tax Withholdings and Deductions
Now that we’ve explored federal and state income tax withholding, let’s look at the additional taxes and deductions that can impact your paycheck.
They are as follows:
- Local income or Wage tax: Some cities have income taxes to fund local services like public transportation and emergency services. This entails a portion of your salary going towards these community services.
- Social Security Tax: This is also known as OASDI (Old Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance). The withholding range is limited. For 2023, it was $160,200, and it was later increased to $168,000 in 2024.
- Medicare Tax: Known as the “hospital insurance tax”, it accounts for 1.45% of your earnings and an additional 0.9% is added if your earnings exceed $200,000. It supports health insurance for people aged 65 and older and those with certain disabilities.
- FUTA Tax: The Federal Unemployment Tax (FUTA) tax funds unemployment benefits for those who lose their jobs. Employers, not employees, pay this tax so it’s not deducted from your paycheck.
- SUTA Tax: Similar to FUTA, the State Unemployment Tax Act (SUTA) tax funds state-level unemployment programs. This is also covered by your employer.
Understanding these additional taxes and deductions will give you a clearer picture of your paycheck and how withholdings affect your overall earnings.
Wrapping It Up
Understanding the various factors that influence your paycheck – from federal and state tax withholdings to other deductions – can help you manage your finances more effectively. As you navigate through the various components of your paycheck, remember to stay informed about this information as it impacts your financial planning.
If you have any specific questions or need further clarification on any aspect of your paycheck, check out our FAQs for more detailed information.
Salary Paycheck Calculator by State
Table of Contents
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, bonuses are taxed as “supplemental income” at a 22% federal rate. State taxes, Social Security, and Medicare also apply, reducing your financial bonus amount.
Pay frequency – weekly, biweekly, or monthly – determines how often earnings are processed. It impacts your gross pay, tax withholdings, and deductions for each paycheck issued.
Bi-weekly means you’re paid every two weeks, totaling 26 paychecks a year. Semi-monthly means you’re paid twice a month, resulting in 24 paychecks annually.
FICA stands for Federal Insurance Contributions Act. It funds Social Security and Medicare, with both you and your employer contributing a percentage of your earnings.
The W-4 determines how much federal income tax is withheld from your paycheck. Accurately completing it ensures correct tax withholding based on your financial issue.
The 2024 W-4 removed the allowances section and introduced straightforward steps to calculate withholdings based on income, dependents, and deductions, making the process clearer for employers and employees.
