Take-Home Pay Calculator – What's Your Real Paycheck?
What will your paycheck be after taxes?
💵 Take-Home Pay Calculator
Tax Breakdown · 401k Optimizer · State Comparison · Budget Guide
Results update in real time. 2024 federal tax brackets. Not tax advice.
💰 Income
📍 State & Deductions
Results are estimates only and do not constitute financial, tax, or legal advice. Always consult a qualified professional before making financial decisions.
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Your salary and your paycheck are two different numbers, and the gap between them surprises most people. A $75,000 salary doesn't mean $6,250 hits your bank account each month. Federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare, and state income tax all come out first — often reducing take-home by 25–40% depending on your state and filing status. This calculator applies 2024 federal tax brackets, the standard deduction for your filing status, FICA taxes (Social Security at 6.2% and Medicare at 1.45%), and state income tax estimates for all 50 states. It also lets you factor in pre-tax deductions like 401(k) contributions and health insurance premiums, which reduce taxable income and increase your net pay. Understanding your real after-tax income is the foundation of any accurate budget. It's also essential before accepting a job offer, negotiating a raise, comparing positions across states, or deciding how much to contribute to retirement. A $90,000 offer in California and a $90,000 offer in Texas are not the same offer — state taxes alone can create a $4,000–$6,000/year difference in actual cash. Run this before every major career decision. The gap between gross and net is where most financial plans go wrong.
- ·Uses 2024 federal tax brackets and the standard deduction ($14,600 single, $29,200 MFJ)
- ·Does not account for itemized deductions, tax credits, or investment income
- ·State tax uses a representative marginal rate — states with complex progressive structures (CA, NY) may differ slightly
- ·Social Security wage cap: $168,600 in 2024
- ·Pre-tax 401(k) and health insurance deductions reduce federal and state taxable income but not FICA
Take-home pay = Gross income – Federal income tax – FICA – State income tax – Pre-tax deductions Federal income tax: applied to (Gross – Standard deduction – Pre-tax deductions) using progressive brackets. FICA: Social Security = 6.2% × min(gross, $168,600); Medicare = 1.45% × gross. An additional 0.9% Medicare surtax applies above $200,000 for single filers. Pre-tax 401(k) effect: Each $1 contributed reduces federal taxable income by $1. In the 22% bracket, a $500/month contribution costs only $390/month in reduced take-home — the $110 difference is avoided tax.
- →Before building a budget — know exactly what hits your bank account each month
- →When evaluating a job offer — translate the salary number into actual monthly cash flow
- →When comparing offers in different states — state taxes can shift net pay by $200–500+/month
- →To understand the real cost of a 401(k) contribution — it costs less than you think
- →After a raise — see exactly how much more lands in your account after taxes
Example 1: $85,000 salary, single, Texas, 6% 401(k)
Inputs: Gross: $85,000 · Filing: single · State: Texas (0%) · 401(k): $5,100/yr (6%)
Result: Federal tax: $11,781 · FICA: $6,503 · State: $0 · Take-home: $61,616/yr = $5,135/mo
The $5,100/year 401(k) contribution costs only $3,894 in reduced take-home ($5,100 – $1,206 in tax savings). That's a 23% discount on retirement savings — the effective cost of the contribution is less than the amount contributed.
Example 2: Same salary, California vs. Texas
Inputs: Gross: $85,000 · Filing: single · No 401(k) | California (~6% state rate) vs. Texas (0%)
Result: Texas: $65,590/yr take-home ($5,466/mo) · California: ~$60,490/yr ($5,041/mo) · Monthly difference: $425
The same salary in California delivers $5,100/year less in take-home than in Texas. Over a 10-year career that's $51,000 — a factor worth explicitly pricing when comparing job offers across state lines.
- ✕Budgeting from gross salary instead of net — spending plan falls short every single month
- ✕Not updating W-4 withholding after marriage, a second job, or having a child — leads to a large tax bill or underpayment penalty
- ✕Overestimating the cost of 401(k) contributions — pre-tax contributions are cheaper than they appear because they reduce your tax bill
- ✕Comparing salary offers across states without adjusting for state income tax
- ✕Ignoring the 0.9% Medicare surtax above $200,000 — it applies to all income above the threshold, not just the excess
How accurate is this calculator?
It uses 2024 federal brackets and the standard deduction — the most common scenario for W-2 employees. It won't account for itemized deductions, tax credits, investment income, or self-employment tax. For precise withholding, use the IRS Tax Withholding Estimator or consult a tax professional.
What is FICA and why is it separate from income tax?
FICA (Federal Insurance Contributions Act) covers Social Security (6.2%) and Medicare (1.45%). These are separate from federal income tax — they fund specific programs and are calculated differently. Social Security is capped at $168,600 of earnings in 2024. An additional 0.9% Medicare surtax applies to income over $200,000 for single filers.
How do pre-tax 401(k) contributions affect take-home pay?
Pre-tax contributions reduce your taxable income dollar-for-dollar, lowering your federal (and often state) income tax. If you're in the 22% bracket, a $500/month contribution only reduces take-home by about $390 — the other $110 comes from reduced taxes. This is why pre-tax contributions are more affordable than people often assume.
What's the difference between effective and marginal tax rate?
Marginal rate is applied to your last dollar of income — your tax bracket. Effective rate is total tax ÷ gross income. Because the US uses a progressive system, only income above each threshold is taxed at the higher rate. A $90,000 salary puts you in the 22% marginal bracket, but your effective federal rate will be around 15–17%.
How does the state tax calculation work?
State tax calculations vary — some states use flat rates, others progressive brackets, and nine states have no income tax at all. This calculator applies a representative marginal rate for each state, which gives a close estimate but won't perfectly match states with complex structures (California, New York). For precise state withholding, check your state's revenue department.