Net Pay Calculator
Free net pay calculator. Estimate your take-home pay from gross salary — federal tax, FICA, state tax, and 401(k) contributions all factored in.
Quick answer
Net pay = gross − federal income tax − FICA (7.65%) − state income tax − pre-tax deductions − post-tax deductions. For middle-income U.S. households, take-home is typically 70-80% of gross. The exact number depends heavily on filing status, state, and 401(k) contributions.
Net Pay Calculator
Estimated take-home
How it works
Uses 2024 federal tax brackets for single and married-filing-jointly filers. Standard deduction is applied ($14,600 single / $29,200 married). FICA is 7.65% (6.2% Social Security up to $168,600 + 1.45% Medicare uncapped). State tax is a flat estimate — your actual state tax may use brackets or have no income tax at all.
When to use it
Comparing job offers across states, sanity-checking a new salary, or estimating how much a raise will actually put in your pocket.
Common mistakes
Treating this as a paycheck stub. Real paychecks include 401(k), HSA, health insurance, parking, and a dozen other deductions. This calculator gives a ballpark — your actual net will vary.
How the net pay calculator works
Gross-to-net pay involves several deductions in a specific order. First, pre-tax deductions reduce taxable income: 401(k) traditional contributions, HSA contributions, and most health insurance premiums. The remaining amount is subject to FICA (6.2% Social Security up to the wage base + 1.45% Medicare with no cap) and federal income tax (calculated from the IRS tax tables and your W-4 elections). State income tax follows, with rates varying from 0% (FL, TX, WA, NV, SD, AK, WY, TN, NH) to 13.3% (CA top bracket). Post-tax deductions like Roth 401(k), garnishments, and after-tax health premiums come out last.
When to use it
Negotiating a job offer — what looks like a salary increase may not be after the new state's tax. Deciding whether to max out a traditional vs. Roth 401(k) (traditional reduces current tax bill, Roth doesn't). Estimating cash flow from a freelance contract that pays gross. Sanity-checking a paystub when you suspect HR or payroll may have an error.
Common mistakes
- Forgetting state income tax differences. A $100K salary in TX vs. CA is roughly $74K vs. $66K take-home — an 11% real pay cut for the same nominal salary.
- Ignoring local taxes. NYC, Philadelphia, and several Ohio cities impose local income tax on top of state. This can add 1-4% to your effective rate.
- Using marginal rates as effective rates. The 24% federal bracket doesn't mean you pay 24% on all income — only on income inside that bracket. Effective rate is always lower than the marginal rate.
Frequently asked questions
What percentage of my paycheck is taken out for taxes?
For middle-income U.S. workers, federal + FICA + state combined is typically 20-30% of gross. The breakdown: 7.65% FICA (always), 8-15% federal income tax (depending on bracket and W-4 settings), and 0-10% state income tax. Add another 0-4% for local tax in cities like NYC or Philadelphia.
Should I max out my 401(k)?
If you can afford it, the traditional 401(k) limit ($23,000 for 2024 under 50) reduces this year's federal income tax bill significantly. Always at least contribute enough to capture the full employer match — that's an instant 50-100% return. Max out only after high-interest debt is paid off.
Why is my net pay different on my last paycheck of the year?
Most likely you crossed the Social Security wage base ($168,600 for 2024) — earnings above that are no longer subject to the 6.2% Social Security tax, so your take-home jumps. The 1.45% Medicare tax has no cap and continues all year.