Step 1 of 3 — State & Pay Info
Full Paycheck Breakdown
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Gross Pay | — |
| — Federal Income Tax | — |
| — State Income Tax | — |
| — Social Security (6.2%) | — |
| — Medicare (1.45%) | — |
| — Pre-tax Deductions | — |
| — Post-tax Deductions | — |
| Net Take-Home Pay | — |
Calculator for Paycheck After Taxes — All 50 States 2026
Pick your state, enter your pay details, and get an instant breakdown of your federal tax, state tax, Social Security, Medicare, and final take-home pay — all using 2026 tax rates and brackets.
How Your Paycheck Is Calculated
Every paycheck in the U.S. goes through the same basic sequence of deductions, regardless of which state you work in. Understanding each layer helps you see exactly where your money goes — and helps you spot errors on your pay stub.
1. Gross Pay
Your starting point: hourly rate × hours worked, or annual salary divided by your number of pay periods — use our salary-to-hourly converter if you need to switch between the two. This is the number before anything is withheld.
2. Pre-Tax Deductions
401(k)/403(b) contributions, traditional health insurance premiums, HSA contributions, and FSA elections are subtracted first — these reduce the income that federal and (in most states) state tax is calculated on. See our full tax deduction breakdown for the dollar impact of each.
3. Federal Income Tax
Calculated using 2026 IRS tax brackets (10% to 37%) applied to your taxable income after the standard deduction, based on your filing status — single, married filing jointly, married filing separately, or head of household.
4. Social Security & Medicare (FICA)
A flat 6.2% Social Security tax applies up to the 2026 wage base of $184,500, and a 1.45% Medicare tax applies to all wages (plus an extra 0.9% on income above $200,000).
5. State Income Tax
This varies enormously — from 0% in states like Nevada, to flat rates like Illinois's 4.95%, to progressive brackets topping out near 11% in Hawaii. Each state also has its own standard deductions, exemptions, and credits.
6. Post-Tax Deductions
Roth 401(k) contributions, wage garnishments, union dues, and other after-tax items come out last, giving you your final net (take-home) pay.
Paycheck Calculators by State
For a deeper dive into your state's specific tax brackets, local taxes, minimum wage rules, final paycheck laws, and frequently asked questions, visit your state's dedicated calculator and guide below.
States With No Income Tax
Nine U.S. states currently impose no state income tax on wages. Workers in these states still pay federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare — but skip the state income tax line entirely, which can mean meaningfully higher take-home pay compared to a high-tax state at the same gross salary.
Alaska
No state income tax. Some residents also receive an annual dividend from the Alaska Permanent Fund.
Florida
No state income tax — see the full Florida paycheck calculator for Miami, Tampa, Orlando, and statewide details. Funded primarily through sales tax and tourism-related revenue.
Nevada
No state income tax — see the full Nevada paycheck calculator for Las Vegas, Reno, and statewide details.
New Hampshire
No tax on wages (a tax on interest and dividends was phased out by 2025).
South Dakota
No state income tax on wages.
Tennessee
No state income tax on wages — see the full Tennessee paycheck calculator for Nashville, Memphis, and statewide details.
Texas
No state income tax — see the full Texas paycheck calculator for Houston, Dallas, Austin, and statewide details. Property taxes tend to run higher to compensate.
Washington
No tax on wages (a capital gains tax applies only to high earners on investment income).
Wyoming
No state income tax on wages.
Gross Pay vs. Net Pay
These two terms are easy to confuse, but the difference is exactly what this calculator helps you see clearly.
| Term | Definition | Typical Range |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Pay | Total earnings before any deductions — your stated hourly rate × hours, or annual salary ÷ pay periods. | 100% of stated pay |
| Net Pay (Take-Home) | What actually lands in your bank account after federal tax, state tax, FICA, and benefit deductions. | ~65% – 85% of gross |
For most workers in 2026, total deductions — federal tax, state tax, and FICA combined — fall somewhere between 15% and 35% of gross pay, depending on income level, filing status, state of residence, and benefit elections. Someone in a no-income-tax state contributing nothing to retirement will keep a much larger share of their gross pay than someone in a high-tax state maxing out pre-tax benefits (even though the pre-tax contributions reduce current take-home pay, they build retirement savings and lower taxable income).
Paycheck Withholding Tips
A few practical habits can help you avoid surprises at tax time and make sure your paycheck reflects what you're actually owed.
Review your W-4 after life changes
Marriage, divorce, a new child, a second job, or a significant raise are all good triggers to revisit your federal withholding elections.
Check pre-tax benefit elections annually
401(k) contribution limits, HSA limits, and FSA elections often change year to year — make sure your elections still match your goals and the current limits.
Compare your pay stub to this estimate
If your actual take-home pay differs significantly from this calculator's estimate, check for local taxes, additional withholding requests, or payroll errors — and address them with HR promptly.
Know your state's minimum wage and overtime rules
Several states on this list have minimum wages above the federal $7.25/hr floor, and some have daily overtime rules. Visit your state's calculator page for specifics.
Keep records of every pay stub
Pay stubs are your primary evidence if a wage dispute or unpaid overtime claim ever arises.
Don't ignore a large or growing tax refund
A consistently large refund means you're giving the government an interest-free loan all year — consider adjusting your W-4 allowances.
Paycheck Calculator — Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about paycheck calculations, take-home pay, and how this tool works across all 21 supported states. Updated for 2026.
This calculator uses 2026 federal tax brackets, FICA rates, and state-specific income tax formulas — including standard deductions, exemptions, and bracket structures — to provide a close estimate of your net pay. It's designed for planning purposes. Your actual paycheck may differ slightly based on your employer's exact W-4 processing, local taxes not captured here, benefits elections, and other payroll-system-specific factors.
Nine states currently levy no state income tax on wages: Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming. Workers in these states only pay federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare, which generally results in higher take-home pay compared to states with income tax, all else being equal.
Differences usually come from your employer's specific W-4 withholding settings, additional withholding amounts you've requested, local or county taxes not included in this estimate, irregular pay such as bonuses or overtime taxed differently, or benefit deductions like union dues, garnishments, or company-specific retirement plans. This tool provides a close estimate but isn't a substitute for your actual pay stub or a tax professional's review.
Gross pay is your total earnings before any deductions — your hourly rate multiplied by hours worked, or your annual salary divided by pay periods. Net pay, or take-home pay, is what remains after federal income tax, state income tax where applicable, Social Security, Medicare, and any pre-tax or post-tax deductions like 401(k) contributions and health insurance premiums are subtracted.
It's wise to review your withholding whenever your life circumstances change significantly — getting married, having a child, taking a second job, or receiving a substantial raise. Many financial professionals also recommend a general checkup at the start of each year and again mid-year to confirm you're on track to avoid an unexpected tax bill or an overly large refund, which represents an interest-free loan to the government.
For most states, no local income tax applies and none is calculated. The exception in this calculator is Maryland, where every county and Baltimore City levy a local income tax added on top of the state rate — you can select your county to include this in your estimate. If you live in a jurisdiction with other local wage taxes not listed here, your actual take-home pay may be slightly lower than shown.