Paycheck Calculator
Enter your pay details below to estimate your take-home pay for 2026 — after federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare and state tax. Your numbers never leave your browser.
Calculate Your Paycheck
⚡ 2026 Quick Facts
- FICA: 6.2% Social Security (on first $184,500) + 1.45% Medicare
- Extra Medicare: +0.9% on wages over $200,000 (single)
- Standard deduction: $16,100 single / $32,200 married filing jointly
- Federal brackets: 10% – 37% across 7 brackets
- Texas & Florida: no state income tax
How Your Paycheck Works
Your paycheck starts with gross pay — your salary or hourly earnings before anything is taken out. Then, layer by layer, deductions shrink it:
1. Federal income tax. The US uses marginal brackets from 10% to 37%. Only income inside each bracket is taxed at that bracket's rate, and the 2026 standard deduction ($16,100 single) is subtracted first.
2. FICA taxes. Social Security takes 6.2% of wages up to $184,500, and Medicare takes 1.45% of all wages (plus 0.9% over $200,000 for single filers). Your employer matches the base amounts.
3. State income tax. This varies enormously — California taxes up to 13.3% at the top, while Texas and Florida charge nothing at all. Picking the right state in the calculator above can change your take-home by thousands.
4. What's left = your take-home pay. Employer extras like health insurance premiums or 401(k) contributions come out too, but those depend on your benefits elections, so this calculator focuses on taxes.
📝 Example: $75,000 salary in Texas, paid biweekly
Gross per paycheck: $75,000 ÷ 26 = $2,884.62
Federal tax ≈ $294.99 · Social Security ≈ $178.85 · Medicare ≈ $41.83 · State tax $0
Take-home ≈ $2,368.94 every two weeks ($61,592.50 per year). Try it above — change the state to California and watch the difference.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is take-home pay different from gross pay?
Gross pay is your earnings before deductions. Take-home (net) pay is what remains after federal income tax, FICA (Social Security + Medicare), state tax and any benefit deductions are withheld.
Why does my coworker in another state take home more?
State income tax is the biggest reason. Nine states — including Texas and Florida — have no wage income tax, while states like California and New York add their own brackets on top of federal tax.
Does this calculator include 401(k) or health insurance?
No — those vary by employer and plan. This calculator covers taxes (federal, FICA, state). Subtract your per-paycheck benefit premiums from the result for a fuller picture.
What does "marginal tax bracket" mean?
It means only the income within each bracket is taxed at that rate. If you're "in the 22% bracket," you don't pay 22% on everything — just on the dollars that fall inside the 22% range.
How often should I check my withholding?
Revisit it after any major life event — a new job, marriage, divorce, a new child, or a big raise — and at least once a year. Your W-4 controls how much federal tax is withheld.
Is this tax advice?
No. This is an educational estimate. For decisions with real money on the line, confirm with a tax professional or your payroll department.
Related Calculators
Take-Home Pay Calculator · Salary to Hourly · Income Tax Calculator · California Paycheck Calculator · Texas Paycheck Calculator