US Take-Home Pay Calculator
2025 federal + FICA + state estimate. Pick your state to see exact paychecks.
Popular
By state
By salary
How take-home pay is calculated
Your gross salary is the headline number on an offer letter; your take-home (net) pay is what remains after taxes are withheld from each paycheck. Three federal deductions apply to almost every paycheck: federal income tax withholding, Social Security tax at 6.2% of wages up to an annual wage base, and Medicare tax at 1.45% of all wages. Together Social Security and Medicare make up FICA.
On top of federal tax, most states add their own income tax, and the rate varies widely. Several states have no wage income tax at all, so a paycheck there is reduced only by federal tax and FICA — which is why the same salary takes home more in some states than in others. The state table above shows each state's rate, with 0.0% marking the no-income-tax states.
An estimate like this will differ from your actual paystub. Pre-tax deductions such as 401(k) contributions and health insurance premiums shrink your taxable wages before tax is calculated, your W-4 allowances change how much is withheld, and some cities and counties levy local income taxes that are not modeled here. Use the figure as a starting point, then confirm against a real paystub.
Take-home pay FAQ
- What is the difference between gross and net pay?
- Gross pay is your total salary before any deductions. Net pay — your take-home pay — is what lands in your account after federal income tax withholding, Social Security and Medicare (FICA), and any state or local income tax are subtracted.
- What is FICA?
- FICA is the Federal Insurance Contributions Act payroll tax that funds Social Security and Medicare. The employee share is 6.2% of wages for Social Security, up to an annual wage base that the Social Security Administration sets each year, plus 1.45% for Medicare on all wages. Employers match these amounts.
- Which states have no income tax?
- Several states levy no broad personal income tax on wages, so take-home pay there reflects only federal tax and FICA. The exact list shifts over time, so the rate column in the state table above shows 0.0% for any state with no wage income tax — check it for the current set.
- Why doesn't this match my paystub?
- This is an estimate. A real paystub also reflects pre-tax deductions such as 401(k) contributions and health insurance premiums, your specific withholding allowances on Form W-4, and any city or county income taxes — none of which this calculator models. Treat the figure as a close approximation, not an exact paycheck.
Full data sources and formulas: /sources.
Estimate only — not tax advice. Federal brackets: IRS Rev. Proc. 2024-40 (tax year 2025). State tax uses flat or top-marginal rate. Itemized deductions, credits, 401(k) contributions, healthcare premiums, and local taxes are not modeled. For exact paychecks, consult a CPA or use a payroll service. Open calculator →
Last reviewed: · Reviewed by R. Bennett, Editor · editorial policy