Net Pay Estimator
Calculate your take-home pay after federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare, and state taxes. See your estimated net pay annually, monthly, or bi-weekly for all 50 US states.
Estimated Net Pay
$54,402.50/yr
Gross Pay
$65,000.00
Federal Income Tax
-$5,625.00
Social Security (6.2%)
-$4,030.00
Medicare (1.45%)
-$942.50
State Tax - Texas (none)
-$0.00
Total Deductions
-$10,597.50
Effective tax rate
16.3%
Also equals
Monthly
$4,533.54
Bi-Weekly
$2,092.40
Estimates only. Does not include local taxes, pre-tax deductions (401k, health insurance), or other withholdings. For exact calculations with IRS-accurate tax tables, generate a pay stub with PayStubHQ.
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How to Estimate Your Net Pay
Net pay (also called take-home pay) is the amount you receive after mandatory deductions are withheld from your gross salary. For most US workers, these deductions include federal income tax, Social Security tax, Medicare tax, and state income tax. The difference between gross and net pay typically ranges from 20% to 30%, depending on your income level, filing status, and state of residence.
Federal Income Tax Withholding
The federal government uses a progressive tax system with seven brackets ranging from 10% to 37% (source: IRS Publication 15-T, 2026). Your effective federal tax rate is lower than your marginal bracket because only income within each bracket is taxed at that rate. Before applying brackets, your employer subtracts the standard deduction: $16,100 for single filers, $32,200 for married filing jointly, or $22,450 for head of household (source: IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-11).
FICA Taxes: Social Security and Medicare
FICA (Federal Insurance Contributions Act) taxes fund Social Security and Medicare. Social Security is 6.2% of gross wages up to the wage base limit of $184,500 in 2026 (source: SSA.gov). Medicare is 1.45% on all wages, plus an additional 0.9% on earnings above $200,000 (Additional Medicare Tax, source: IRS Publication 15). Your employer matches these amounts, but only your half appears on your pay stub.
State Income Tax
Nine states have no income tax: Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming. The remaining states and DC impose income tax rates ranging from about 2% (Arizona, North Dakota) to over 8% (Oregon, California at higher brackets). This estimator uses simplified effective rates, which approximate the average tax burden for a typical earner. Actual state tax depends on state-specific brackets and deductions.
Example: $65,000 Salary in Texas vs. New York
| Deduction | Texas | New York |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Pay | $65,000 | $65,000 |
| Federal Tax | -$5,594 | -$5,594 |
| Social Security | -$4,030 | -$4,030 |
| Medicare | -$943 | -$943 |
| State Tax | $0 | -$4,011 |
| Net Pay | $54,434 | $50,423 |
Single filer, 2026 tax year estimates. Does not include local taxes or pre-tax deductions. New York City residents pay an additional city income tax not reflected here.
Gross Pay vs. Net Pay
Gross pay is your total compensation before any deductions. Net pay is what you actually receive. Many workers confuse the two when budgeting or comparing job offers. A $75,000 salary sounds higher than $65,000, but if the first job is in New York and the second is in Texas, the difference in take-home pay shrinks significantly. Always compare offers on a net-pay basis, factoring in state taxes and cost of living.
If you need to document your salary and deductions on a pay stub for a rental application, mortgage pre-approval, or income verification, PayStubHQ generates professional pay stubs with IRS-accurate tax calculations based on Publication 15-T withholding tables and current state rates. The first stub is free.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is net pay?▾
Net pay is the amount you take home after all deductions are subtracted from your gross pay. Deductions typically include federal income tax, Social Security tax (6.2%), Medicare tax (1.45%), and state income tax. Net pay is what gets deposited into your bank account on payday.
What percentage of my gross pay is net pay?▾
Most US workers take home between 70% and 80% of their gross pay, depending on filing status, state of residence, and income level. For example, a single filer earning $65,000 in Texas (no state tax) keeps about 77% of gross pay. In California or New York, that drops to about 72-73% due to state income taxes.
Why is my net pay lower than expected?▾
Common reasons include: federal withholding calculated at a higher bracket, state income tax (especially in states like California, New York, and Oregon), Social Security tax on the first $184,500 of wages (source: SSA.gov, 2026), and Additional Medicare tax of 0.9% on earnings above $200,000. Pre-tax deductions like 401(k) contributions and health insurance also reduce take-home pay.
Does net pay include retirement contributions?▾
This estimator does not deduct retirement contributions. Pre-tax 401(k) or 403(b) contributions reduce your taxable income and your take-home pay further. For example, contributing 6% of a $65,000 salary ($3,900/year) would lower your federal taxable income and reduce your federal tax, but also reduce your net pay by roughly $3,000-$3,300 after the tax benefit.
How can I increase my take-home pay?▾
Five practical ways: 1) Contribute to a pre-tax 401(k) or HSA to lower taxable income. 2) Claim all eligible deductions on your W-4 (dependents, other income adjustments). 3) If married, evaluate whether filing jointly or separately produces lower total tax. 4) Move to a state with no income tax (Alaska, Florida, Nevada, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, or Wyoming). 5) Review your W-4 withholding allowances annually to avoid over-withholding.