Quick conversions
Salary tools used by millions of US workers
Whether you are comparing a job offer, negotiating a raise, or budgeting your monthly paycheck, these free calculators turn any number into the figure you actually care about — what hits your bank account.
Paycheck Calculator
See your bi-weekly or monthly net paycheck after every tax and deduction.
Hourly → Salary
Convert an hourly wage into an equivalent full-time annual salary.
Salary → Hourly
Find your true hourly rate from any annual salary figure.
Annual Salary
Turn weekly, monthly or per-period pay into a yearly total.
Salary Increase
See your new salary and after-tax take-home gain from any raise.
Gross to Net
Convert a gross salary into real net take-home pay.
Take-home by state
How much you keep depends on where you live
Federal tax and FICA are the same nationwide, but state income tax can swing your net pay by thousands of dollars a year. Pick your state for exact 2026 rules.
How it works
How your salary becomes take-home pay in 2026
Your paycheck shrinks in a specific, predictable order. Understanding each step is the difference between guessing your budget and knowing it. Here is exactly how this calculator turns a gross salary into the number you can actually spend.
1. Start with gross pay
Gross pay is your headline salary — the figure in your offer letter — before a single dollar is withheld. A $75,000 salary means $75,000 of gross pay spread across the year, whether you are paid weekly, bi-weekly, semi-monthly or monthly.
2. Subtract pre-tax deductions
Contributions to a traditional 401(k), a Health Savings Account (HSA), or certain insurance premiums come out before income tax is calculated. They lower your taxable income, which is why a $10,000 401(k) contribution can save a 22%-bracket worker about $2,200 in federal tax. This calculator lets you enter those deferrals in the pre-tax field.
3. Apply the standard deduction
Nearly 9 in 10 taxpayers take the standard deduction rather than itemizing. For the 2026 tax year the IRS set it at $16,100 for single filers and $32,200 for married couples filing jointly (Revenue Procedure 2025-32). The calculator subtracts this automatically before computing tax.
4. Run the federal tax brackets
The U.S. uses a progressive system: only the income inside each bracket is taxed at that bracket's rate. A common myth is that "moving into a higher bracket" taxes your whole salary more — it never does. Your first dollars are always taxed at 10%, the next chunk at 12%, and so on.
| Rate | Taxable income |
|---|---|
| 10% | $0 – $12,400 |
| 12% | $12,400 – $50,400 |
| 22% | $50,400 – $105,700 |
| 24% | $105,700 – $201,775 |
| 32% | $201,775 – $256,225 |
| 35% | $256,225 – $640,600 |
| 37% | $640,600 and up |
5. Add FICA payroll taxes
Separate from income tax, every employee pays FICA: 6.2% for Social Security and 1.45% for Medicare. Social Security only applies to wages up to the 2026 wage base of $184,500 (Social Security Administration). High earners pay an extra 0.9% Additional Medicare Tax on wages above $200,000 (single). FICA is flat — it does not get the standard deduction.
6. Subtract state income tax
This is where geography matters most. Nine states — including Texas, Florida and Washington — levy no broad personal income tax, so your federal-and-FICA take-home is also your final take-home. Others, like California and New York, run their own progressive brackets on top of the federal system.
7. What's left is your net pay
Gross minus federal tax, minus Social Security, minus Medicare, minus state tax equals your take-home pay. Divide by your number of pay periods to see each paycheck. That is the single number this calculator exists to give you.
Questions
Salary calculator FAQ
How do I calculate my take-home pay from my salary?
Start with your gross annual salary, subtract federal income tax (calculated on your taxable income after the standard deduction), subtract Social Security (6.2%) and Medicare (1.45%), then subtract any state income tax. What remains is your take-home pay. This calculator does all of that automatically using the 2026 IRS brackets and the 2026 Social Security wage base of $184,500.
What is the difference between gross pay and net pay?
Gross pay is your total earnings before any deductions. Net pay — also called take-home pay — is what actually lands in your bank account after federal tax, FICA payroll taxes, state tax and any voluntary deductions like 401(k) contributions are removed.
How much of my salary do I actually keep?
Most U.S. workers keep roughly 70% to 85% of their gross salary after taxes, depending on income level and state. Higher earners and residents of high-tax states such as California or New York keep a smaller share, while residents of no-income-tax states like Texas and Florida keep more.
Does this salary calculator include Social Security and Medicare?
Yes. The calculator applies the full FICA payroll tax: 6.2% Social Security on wages up to the 2026 wage base of $184,500, plus 1.45% Medicare on all wages, with the 0.9% Additional Medicare Tax automatically applied above $200,000 (single).
Is the salary calculator accurate for 2026?
The federal portion uses the 2026 inflation-adjusted tax brackets and standard deduction published by the IRS in Revenue Procedure 2025-32, and the 2026 Social Security wage base from the Social Security Administration. It is a precise estimate for most W-2 employees; complex situations (itemized deductions, multiple jobs, tax credits) can shift the final figure.
- Sources: IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-32 (2026 brackets & standard deduction) · SSA 2026 OASDI wage base ($184,500) · IRS Topic No. 751 (FICA rates).
- 🔄 Last updated June 9, 2026 · Tax year 2026
Know your number before you sign
Comparing two offers in different states? Run each one through the calculator and compare take-home pay, not just the headline salary.
Calculate my take-home pay