Take Home Pay Calculator
Bridge the gap between your gross salary and your bank account. Our expert paycheck simulator reveals what you actually keep after 2026 federal, FICA, and state obligations.
Income Profile
Paycheck Preview
Reveal your actual take-home pay after federal, FICA, and state taxes.
Pay Frequencies
Common in trade and construction industries.
The most common schedule in the United States.
Paid twice a month (e.g., 1st and 15th).
Standard for executive and senior management roles.
Common Payroll Withholdings
Your paycheck is reduced by several mandatory and optional deductions. While our tool focuses on mandatory taxes, remember to also account for:
Why Net Pay Matters for Your Future
Budgeting based on your Gross Salary is a common financial mistake. Real-world planning—from Mortgage Affordability to daily savings—must be based on your Net Liquidity.
Understanding Your Paycheck "Leakage"
Most American workers see between 20% and 35% of their gross salary diverted before it reaches their bank account. This "leakage" is categorized into three primary buckets:
- Statutory Credits (Taxes): Federal, State, and Local income taxes determined by your filing status and location.
- FICA Contributions: Mandatory Social Security (6.2%) and Medicare (1.45%) payments that fund national safety nets.
- Voluntary Deductions: Pre-tax contributions to 401(k) plans or Health Savings Accounts (HSA), which lower your taxable income but also reduce your immediate take-home pay.
Use our Comprehensive Tax Estimator if you need a deep dive into specific IRS tax brackets.