US Paycheck Calculator Guide
"Paycheck calculator" is how most people in the US actually search for this — "take-home pay calculator" and "net pay calculator" mean the same thing, just less commonly typed. After federal tax, FICA, and (in most states) state tax, what do you actually take home from your salary? This guide explains what goes into the number and links to a free calculator covering all 50 states.
What a US paycheck calculator works out
From your gross salary, three deductions get you to take-home pay:
- Federal income tax — marginal brackets (10% to 37%) applied after the standard deduction.
- FICA — Social Security (6.2%, up to the annual wage base) plus Medicare (1.45%, plus 0.9% Additional Medicare Tax above $200,000).
- State income tax — varies by state; nine states charge none on wages.
Pre-tax 401(k) contributions reduce taxable income before federal and state tax are applied. Try it with your own numbers.
State paycheck calculators
A huge share of paycheck-calculator searches are state-specific — Texas paycheck calculator, California paycheck calculator, NYC paycheck calculator, and similar. Every state (plus Washington DC, and local tax for NYC, Philadelphia, and Maryland counties) is covered automatically when you pick your state in the calculator above — see the full state-by-state paycheck calculator list.
Military pay calculators
"Military pay calculator" is a large, distinct search cluster — this tool isn't built for it. Military pay includes BAH, BAS, and special/incentive pays that follow entirely different rules from a standard W-2 paycheck, so a civilian paycheck calculator will not give an accurate result for active-duty or reserve pay.
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between a paycheck calculator and a take-home pay calculator?
Nothing — both estimate the same thing: your salary after federal tax, FICA, and state tax, which is your net or take-home pay.
How do I calculate my take-home pay in the US?
Enter your gross salary, state, and any 401(k) contribution into the paycheck calculator — it applies 2025 federal brackets, FICA, and your state's tax automatically.
Does this include state income tax?
Yes, for all 50 states and Washington DC, including the nine states with no wage income tax.
Does this work as a military pay calculator?
No — military pay includes BAH, BAS, and special pays that don't follow standard W-2 paycheck rules, so results here won't be accurate for active-duty or reserve pay.