Paycheck Calculator
Paycheck calculator: estimate take-home pay after federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare, 401(k) and state tax.
Editorial review: Farrow (pseudonym; identity and professional credentials are not disclosed). This page is for educational purposes, not professional advice.
Your inputs
Results update as you type. Nothing you enter leaves your device.
Results
- Gross per paycheck
- $2,884.62
- Federal income tax
- $256.92
- Social Security
- $178.85
- Medicare
- $41.83
- State income tax
- $108.46
- 401(k)
- $173.08
- Annual take-home
- $55,263
Example with the starting values
These results use the calculator's initial inputs. Change the values above to calculate your own estimate.
Inputs
- Annual gross salary
- 75000 $
- Pay frequency
- Every two weeks (26)
- Filing status
- Single
- 401(k) contribution
- 6 %
- Pre-tax health premium per check
- 0 $
- State income tax (effective)
- 4 %
Results
- Take-home pay per paycheck
- $2,125.48
- Gross per paycheck
- $2,884.62
- Federal income tax
- $256.92
- Social Security
- $178.85
- Medicare
- $41.83
- State income tax
- $108.46
- 401(k)
- $173.08
- Annual take-home
- $55,263
How to estimate take-home pay
Enter pay and filing details
Enter annual gross salary, pay frequency and federal filing status.
Add payroll deductions and state tax
Enter a traditional 401(k) contribution, pre-tax health premium per check and effective state income tax rate, if applicable.
Review estimated pay
Review estimated take-home pay per paycheck, gross pay, federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare, state tax and 401(k) amounts.
How does the Paycheck Calculator work?
Take-home pay is what is left of your gross pay after taxes and payroll deductions are withheld from each paycheck.
Federal income tax uses the 2026 IRS brackets and standard deduction. Traditional 401(k) contributions and pre-tax health premiums reduce taxable income.
FICA is 6.2% Social Security on wages up to $184,500 plus 1.45% Medicare, with an extra 0.9% Medicare over $200,000 ($250,000 married). Your 401(k) does not reduce FICA.
State income tax is entered as a flat effective rate. Use 0 for Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington and Wyoming.
For example, a $75,000 salary paid biweekly (26 checks) with a 6% 401(k) contribution and a 4% effective state rate comes out to about $2,125 take-home per check, out of $2,885 gross.
Sources
Frequently asked questions
Why is my real paycheck different?
Your employer withholds based on your W-4, and there may be local taxes, benefits or other deductions this estimate does not include.
What effective state tax rate should I use?
Divide last year's state tax by your wages. Typical effective rates are 3% to 6% in states with an income tax.
What percentage of my paycheck goes to FICA in 2026?
7.65%: 6.2% Social Security on wages up to $184,500 and 1.45% Medicare on all wages, plus 0.9% Medicare on wages over $200,000.
Does a 401(k) contribution lower my taxes?
Yes for income tax. Traditional 401(k) deferrals, up to $24,500 in 2026, are excluded from federal taxable income, but Social Security and Medicare tax still apply.