Take-Home Pay Calculator
See what actually lands in your bank account. This calculator estimates your net (take-home) paycheck after federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare, using 2026 federal figures. Choose your pay frequency to see your per-paycheck amount.
Formula reviewed for accuracy. Our methodology & sources
Take-Home Pay Calculator
salary calculator
How It Works
The calculator subtracts your standard deduction and any pre-tax deductions to find taxable income, applies the 2026 federal brackets, then adds Social Security (6.2% up to the wage base) and Medicare (1.45%, plus 0.9% on high earnings). What remains is your annual take-home, divided by your number of pay periods.
Formula
Take-Home = Gross − Federal Income Tax − Social Security − Medicare − Pre-tax Deductions Social Security = 6.2% (up to $184,500) · Medicare = 1.45% (+0.9% over the threshold)
Examples
$75,000 salary, single, paid monthly
About $5,130/month take-home after federal tax and FICA.
$120,000, married, bi-weekly, $10k 401(k)
Pre-tax 401(k) lowers income tax while FICA still applies to gross.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is FICA on my paycheck?
FICA is the combined Social Security (6.2%) and Medicare (1.45%) tax withheld from your wages. Social Security applies only up to an annual wage base ($184,500 in 2026); Medicare has no cap and adds an extra 0.9% on earnings above $200,000 (single) or $250,000 (married).
Does this include state income tax?
No. This is a federal estimate (income tax + FICA) only. Most states also withhold state income tax, and a few cities add local tax, so your real take-home may be lower depending on where you live.
How do pre-tax deductions affect my paycheck?
Contributions like a traditional 401(k) or health premiums lower your taxable income, reducing your federal income tax. Note that 401(k) contributions still have Social Security and Medicare tax withheld, which this calculator accounts for.
Why is my take-home less than my salary ÷ 12?
Your gross salary is before taxes. Federal income tax and FICA are withheld from every paycheck, so your net pay is meaningfully lower than your gross — this calculator shows the realistic net figure.
What pay frequencies can I choose?
Weekly (52 paychecks), bi-weekly (26), semi-monthly (24), monthly (12), or annual. Bi-weekly and semi-monthly are close but not identical — bi-weekly means two extra paychecks a year.
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