US paycheck calculator 2026, take-home pay after taxes
This free US paycheck calculator turns your gross salary into your real take-home pay for 2026. Pick your state and it shows your salary after taxes, federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare (FICA) and state income tax, as an annual, monthly, biweekly, daily and hourly figure. Every rate traces back to official IRS and SSA sources, and the full calculation is shown.
How your US take-home pay is calculated
Three things come out of a US paycheck: federal income tax, FICA (Social Security + Medicare), and state income tax.
- Federal income tax is progressive, rates from 10% to 37% apply to successive slices of your taxable income (your pay minus the standard deduction the IRS sets each year).
- FICA is a flat payroll tax on your wages (see the breakdown below).
- State income tax varies: some states are progressive, some flat, and nine charge none at all.
FICA: Social Security and Medicare (2026)
| Payroll tax | Employee rate | Applies to |
|---|---|---|
| Social Security | 6.2% | Wages up to ~$184,500 (2026 wage base) |
| Medicare | 1.45% | All wages |
| Additional Medicare | +0.9% | Wages over $200,000 (single) |
| Combined FICA | 7.65% | Up to the wage base |
States with no income tax
In these nine states your take-home pay is higher because only federal tax and FICA are deducted: Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington and Wyoming. Curious how much a salary keeps in a no-tax state? See $75,000 after taxes in Texas, learn how FICA tax works, or read our guide to US take-home pay in 2026.
Frequently asked questions
- Is this US paycheck calculator free?
- Yes. The US salary / paycheck calculator is free with no sign-up. Enter your gross pay and choose your state to see your take-home pay after federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare (FICA) and state income tax for 2026.
- What is FICA tax?
- FICA is the combined Social Security and Medicare payroll tax. Employees pay 6.2% for Social Security (on wages up to the annual wage base, around $184,500 for 2026) plus 1.45% for Medicare on all wages, a combined 7.65%. An extra 0.9% Additional Medicare tax applies to wages above $200,000 for single filers. Your employer pays a matching share that does not come out of your paycheck.
- Is FICA the same as Social Security and Medicare?
- Yes. FICA (Federal Insurance Contributions Act) is the umbrella name for the two payroll taxes: Social Security (6.2%) and Medicare (1.45%). Together they total 7.65% of your wages, deducted from every paycheck.
- Which US states have no income tax?
- Nine states levy no state income tax on wages: Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington and Wyoming. In those states your take-home pay is higher because only federal income tax and FICA are deducted, the calculator handles all 50 states plus DC.
- How do I calculate my take-home pay from my salary?
- Start with your gross pay, subtract federal income tax (progressive rates from 10% to 37% on your taxable income after the standard deduction), subtract FICA (7.65%), then subtract any state income tax. What's left is your net take-home pay. Enter your salary and state above to do this instantly.