Salary Calculator
Calculate your take-home pay after federal, state, and FICA taxes
Salary Calculator
Calculate your take-home pay and taxes
Salary Information
Tax Filing
Annual Take-Home Pay
After all taxes and deductions
Pay Frequency Breakdown
Tax Breakdown
Tax Rates
Annual Summary
Paycheck Preview
Annual Pay PeriodWant to compare this salary with a different scenario?
📚 Learn More About Salary & Taxes
💰 Gross vs Net Pay
Gross pay: Total earnings before deductions. Net pay (take-home): What hits your bank account after taxes, insurance, and retirement. Typically 70-80% of gross.
Example: $60K gross salary = ~$45K take-home after taxes.
📊 Federal Tax Brackets
Progressive tax system: 10%, 12%, 22%, 24%, 32%, 35%, 37% brackets. You pay different rates on different portions of income. Being in 24% bracket doesn't mean all income is taxed at 24%!
2025 Single: 10% up to $11,600, 12% up to $47,150, 22% up to $100,525.
🏛️ State Tax Variations
State income tax: 0% to 13.3%. 9 states have no income tax (FL, TX, WA, NV, TN, SD, WY, AK, NH). High-tax states: CA (13.3%), NY (10.9%), NJ (10.75%). Moving states can significantly impact take-home pay.
Example: $100K in TX = $75K take-home vs $68K in CA.
💡 FICA Taxes Explained
FICA = 7.65% total. Social Security: 6.2% (capped at $168,600 in). Medicare: 1.45% (no cap, plus 0.9% on income over $200K). These fund Social Security and Medicare benefits.
On $60K salary: $4,590/year in FICA taxes ($382.50/month).
📈 Pre-tax Deductions
401(k), HSA, traditional IRA contributions reduce taxable income. $5K to 401(k) = save $1,200+ in taxes (24% bracket). Roth 401(k)/IRA are post-tax (no deduction now, tax-free later).
Strategy: Max 401(k) ($23,000/year) and HSA ($4,150/year) to lower taxes.
✅ Maximizing Take-Home Pay
(1) Adjust W-4 withholding to avoid overpaying taxes, (2) Max pre-tax deductions (401k, HSA), (3) Claim all eligible tax credits, (4) Consider moving to low/no-tax state, (5) Negotiate higher salary or bonuses.
Bonus tip: Use standard deduction ($14,600 single) to reduce taxable income.
How to Use This Salary Calculator
Enter Salary Information
Input your annual salary or hourly wage, pay frequency, and filing status.
Add Deductions & State
Enter pre-tax deductions (401k, HSA) and select your state for accurate tax estimates.
Review Take-Home Pay
See your net pay breakdown by pay period (weekly, bi-weekly, monthly, annual).
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I calculate my take-home pay?
Start with your gross pay, then subtract federal income tax (10-37% based on bracket), state income tax (0-13.3% depending on state), Social Security (6.2% up to $168,600), and Medicare (1.45% + 0.9% over $200K). Also subtract any pre-tax deductions like 401(k) or HSA contributions. Our calculator does this automatically for you. Typically, take-home pay is 70-80% of gross salary. For example, a $60,000 salary results in approximately $45,000 take-home pay after all taxes.
What is the difference between gross and net pay?
Gross pay is your total salary before any deductions—the number in your offer letter or employment contract. Net pay (take-home pay) is what actually hits your bank account after taxes, insurance, and retirement contributions are removed. For example, if you earn $5,000 gross per month, your net pay might be $3,750 after federal tax, state tax, FICA, and 401(k) contributions. Always budget based on net pay, not gross, to avoid overspending.
How much is taken out for FICA taxes?
FICA taxes total 7.65% of your paycheck: 6.2% for Social Security (capped at $168,600 of income in) and 1.45% for Medicare (no income cap). If you earn over $200,000 ($250,000 married), you pay an additional 0.9% Medicare tax on income above that threshold. For example, on a $60,000 salary, you pay $4,590/year in FICA taxes ($3,720 Social Security + $870 Medicare). These taxes fund Social Security retirement benefits and Medicare health insurance.
How can I increase my take-home pay?
(1) Adjust your W-4 withholding to claim appropriate allowances and avoid overpaying taxes throughout the year. (2) Maximize pre-tax deductions like 401(k) ($23,000/year limit) and HSA ($4,150/year limit) to reduce taxable income. (3) Claim all eligible tax credits (child tax credit, earned income credit, etc.). (4) Consider relocating to a state with no income tax (FL, TX, WA, NV, etc.) if feasible. (5) Negotiate a higher salary or bonuses with your employer. (6) Review and optimize health insurance and other benefit elections.