How to use this paycheck calculator
- Start on Earnings — choose pay frequency, enter salary or hourly rate, and add overtime if it applies.
- Open Federal Taxes to set filing status, W-4 amounts, and any exemptions.
- Pick your State or Territory — the tool applies a representative withholding rate for Texas, California, Florida, New York, and every other state on the list.
- Add Benefits such as medical premiums or a 401(k) percentage to see pre-tax impact on take-home pay.
- Review the donut chart and line-item breakdown on the right. Switch to Gross Up Calculator when you know the net amount you need and want to estimate required gross pay.
What does a paycheck calculator do?
A paycheck calculator estimates how much of your gross wages land in your bank account after payroll withholdings. Employers remit federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare, and (in most states) state income tax on your behalf. Pre-tax benefits — health insurance, FSAs, and traditional 401(k) contributions — reduce taxable wages before those taxes are calculated.
Whether you are comparing a job offer in Texas versus California, planning overtime, or checking how a 401(k) deferral affects cash flow, a take-home pay estimate helps you budget before the first direct deposit arrives.
Gross pay versus net pay
Gross pay is total earnings before deductions. Net pay (take-home) is what remains. The gap is not a single tax — it is the combined effect of federal withholding, FICA, state tax, and benefit elections.
FICA taxes on every paycheck
Most W-2 employees pay FICA (Federal Insurance Contributions Act) taxes each period:
Social Security applies only up to the annual wage base (adjusted yearly by the IRS). Medicare has no cap; higher earners may owe an additional 0.9% on wages above $200,000.
Hourly versus salary paychecks
Hourly paycheck calculators multiply your rate by hours worked in the pay period, then add overtime at 1.5× or 2× when applicable. Salary paycheck calculators divide annual pay by pay periods (52 weekly, 26 bi-weekly, 24 semi-monthly, or 12 monthly). The same withholding logic applies once gross pay for the period is known.
State paycheck calculators
State income tax varies widely. Nine states — including Texas, Florida, Nevada, and Washington — have no broad wage income tax. Others like California, New York, Illinois, and Pennsylvania withhold state tax every pay period. Select your state in the calculator to model a representative rate; local city taxes (for example NYC) are not included and may change your actual withholding.
| Scenario | What to enter | What you learn |
|---|---|---|
| Texas salary paycheck | $60,000/year, weekly, TX state | Federal + FICA only — no state income tax |
| California hourly paycheck | Hourly rate + hours + CA state | State withholding on top of federal taxes |
| Paycheck with overtime | Base pay + OT hours and rate | How 1.5× or 2× OT lifts gross and taxes |
| Paycheck with 401(k) | Retirement % on Benefits tab | Pre-tax deferral lowers taxable wages |
| Gross up / net to gross | Desired take-home in Gross Up mode | Approximate gross needed to hit a net target |
Related finance tools
- Percentage Calculator — quick percent math for raises, bonus tax estimates, and 401(k) deferral rates
- Sales Tax Calculator — understand how percentage-based taxes apply to purchases (a useful parallel when learning withholding)
- Commission Calculator — model variable pay when part of your income is commission-based
- How to Calculate Your Paycheck After Taxes — step-by-step guide with examples for hourly and salaried workers
Official references
Federal withholding tables are published in IRS Publication 15-T. FICA rates and wage bases are explained by the Social Security Administration. Overtime rules for non-exempt employees are summarized by the U.S. Department of Labor.
Important disclaimer
This paycheck calculator provides general guidance and estimates only. It does not replace professional tax advice, your employer’s payroll system, or state revenue department guidance. Actual withholding depends on your exact W-4, local taxes, benefit rules, and pay-year limits. Use results for planning — confirm final figures on your pay stub or with a tax professional.
Open the Paycheck Calculator to run your numbers.