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💵 Your Pay Details
Enter your gross pay and deduction information
Income Information
Gross Pay Per Period $5,000
$100$50,000
Pre-Tax Deductions
%
$
$
State Tax
%
$
💰 Your Take-Home Pay
Net Take-Home Pay
$3,421
per month after all deductions
$41,052/yr
31.6% effective rate
💵 Gross Pay$5,000
📉 Pre-Tax Deductions-$0
📋 Federal Taxable Income$5,000
🏛️ Federal Income Tax-$794
🏥 Social Security (6.2%)-$310
💊 Medicare (1.45%)-$73
🏙️ State Income Tax-$250
📦 Post-Tax Deductions-$0
✅ Net Take-Home Pay$3,573
📊 Complete Pay Breakdown — All Periods
| Pay Period | Gross Pay | Total Deductions | Net Take-Home |
|---|
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How to Calculate Your Take-Home Pay
Your take-home pay — also called net pay — is the amount left after all taxes and deductions are subtracted from your gross pay. Understanding exactly what comes out of each paycheck helps you budget accurately and plan your finances with confidence.
Our free paycheck calculator accounts for all major deductions including federal income tax using 2026 tax brackets, Social Security tax, Medicare tax, state income tax and pre-tax deductions like 401k contributions and health insurance premiums.
What Is Taken Out Of Your Paycheck?
- Federal Income Tax — calculated based on your income and filing status using progressive tax brackets. Higher income means a higher percentage in tax.
- Social Security Tax — 6.2% of your gross wages up to the annual wage base limit of $168,600 in 2026.
- Medicare Tax — 1.45% of all wages with no income limit. High earners pay an additional 0.9% on income over $200,000.
- State Income Tax — varies by state from 0% in states like Texas and Florida to over 13% in California.
- Pre-Tax Deductions — 401k contributions, health insurance and HSA contributions reduce your taxable income before federal tax is calculated.
How to Increase Your Take-Home Pay
- Maximize pre-tax 401k contributions — reduces taxable income and increases take-home pay relative to gross
- Contribute to an HSA or FSA — pre-tax medical savings reduce your tax burden
- Claim all eligible tax credits when filing your annual return
- If you have multiple jobs — adjust withholding on Form W-4 to avoid over-withholding
- Consider living in a state with no income tax — saves 3-13% of income depending on state
Gross Pay vs Net Pay
Gross pay is your total earnings before any deductions. Net pay is what you actually receive after all taxes and deductions. The difference between the two depends on your tax bracket, filing status, location and benefit elections. Most full-time workers take home 65-80% of their gross pay after all deductions.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much of my paycheck goes to taxes? +
The percentage depends on your income, filing status and state. On average, Americans pay about 7.65% in FICA taxes (Social Security + Medicare), 10-22% in federal income tax and 0-10% in state income tax. Total tax burden typically ranges from 20-35% of gross pay for middle-income earners.
What is the difference between gross and net pay? +
Gross pay is your total earnings before any deductions — the number on your employment contract. Net pay is what actually gets deposited into your bank account after federal tax, state tax, Social Security, Medicare and other deductions are removed. Most workers take home 65-80% of their gross pay.
How do 401k contributions affect my paycheck? +
401k contributions are pre-tax deductions — they reduce your taxable income before federal income tax is calculated. This means contributing to your 401k actually increases your take-home pay relative to what you might expect. For example, a $500 monthly 401k contribution might only reduce your take-home pay by $350-400 after the tax savings are factored in.
How much is taken out for Social Security and Medicare? +
Social Security tax is 6.2% of your gross wages up to $168,600 per year. Medicare tax is 1.45% of all wages with no cap. Together these are called FICA taxes and total 7.65% of your gross pay. Your employer also pays a matching 7.65% on your behalf.
Why does my actual paycheck differ from the calculator? +
Our calculator provides estimates based on standard tax rates and the information you enter. Actual paychecks may differ due to your specific W-4 withholding elections, additional local taxes, garnishments, other benefit deductions or year-to-date adjustments. Use this calculator as a close estimate rather than an exact figure.