TheFreeTool

US Take-Home Pay Calculator

Type your salary or hourly rate, pick your state and see what you actually take home each year, month, paycheck or hour. Updated for the 2026 tax year.

$

Not included

Local and city taxes, state disability and paid-leave premiums, tax credits such as the Child Tax Credit, income from other sources and extra withholding. For married couples filing jointly, state tax is estimated by doubling the single-filer amounts.

Where the numbers come from

Tax year: 2026 · Rates last checked:

Good to know

This is an estimate for general information. It is not tax, legal or financial advice. Your payslip can differ because of tax codes, credits, local taxes, benefits and your employer's rules. Check official guidance or ask a qualified adviser.

What it does

  • Works for all 50 states and Washington, DC
  • Switch between salary and hourly pay and see the result per year, month, two weeks, week, day or hour
  • Shows federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and state tax on separate lines
  • Includes 401(k) and pre-tax health costs so you can see their effect
  • Uses the 2026 IRS and state rates, with the sources listed on the page

How to use it

  1. Choose salary or hourly and type the amount.
  2. Pick your filing status and your state.
  3. Add your 401(k) percentage and any monthly health insurance cost if you want them counted.
  4. Read your take-home pay and switch the period to match your pay schedule.

How is take-home pay worked out?

Your gross pay is what the job pays before anything comes off. Several things do come off. Federal income tax is charged in steps, called brackets, after the standard deduction. Social Security (6.2%) and Medicare (1.45%) are taken from your pay too, and together they are called FICA. Most states add their own income tax. Nine states charge none on wages.

Money you put into a traditional 401(k), or pay for health insurance before tax, lowers the income that gets taxed. That cuts your tax bill, though the money is not in your paycheck. The calculator shows these on their own lines so you can see the effect.

Example

Take a single worker in Texas who earns 60,000 a year. Texas has no state income tax. After the 2026 standard deduction of 16,100, federal tax comes to about 5,020. Social Security is 3,720 and Medicare is 870. That leaves roughly 50,390 a year, or around 4,200 a month, before any 401(k).

Questions people ask

Is this accurate for my paycheck?
It is a close estimate. Your pay stub can differ because of things the calculator leaves out, like local taxes, tax credits, state disability premiums and your exact withholding form. Use it to plan, then check your stub.
Why does my state change the result so much?
Nine states do not tax wages at all, while others take somewhere between 2.5% and 13%. Cities such as New York add their own tax on top.
Does a 401(k) contribution cut my take-home pay?
Yes, but by less than the amount you put in, because it also lowers your income tax. Try 5% and watch the tax lines drop.
Which tax year does it use?
The 2026 tax year. The rates and limits come from the IRS and the Social Security Administration, and we recheck them every January.
What about bonuses or a second job?
Enter the total yearly pay, bonuses included, to see the yearly picture. Employers often withhold a flat 22% on bonuses, so a single paycheck can look different from the yearly result.

Disclaimer

This tool is for general information only. It is not financial, tax, investment or legal advice, and results are estimates that may differ from your bank, lender or tax authority. Rates, limits and tax rules change. Bank and brand names are used only to describe what the tool does; they belong to their owners and we are not affiliated with them. Check the figures with a qualified professional or your provider before you decide. You use this tool at your own risk, and TheFreeTool is not liable for any loss that follows. Read the full disclaimer

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