USA PaycheckCalculator · 2026

2026 Paycheck Calculator

Enter your annual salary, filing status, pay frequency, and state — and see your estimated federal, state, FICA, and local tax withholdings alongside your take-home pay.

Live estimate · 2026
Take-home pay
$2,152
per paycheck (26/yr)
Gross pay$2,884.62
Federal income tax− $263.27
Social Security (6.2%)− $178.85
Medicare (1.45%+)− $41.83
California state tax− $104.50
Net pay$2,151.94
Annual net
$55,950
Annual tax
$15,300
Effective rate
20.4%

How the calculator works

The calculator estimates take-home pay in four steps. First, it applies the federal 2026 tax brackets to your income after the federal standard deduction and any pre-tax contributions (401(k), Section 125 health plans). Second, it withholds FICA — 6.2% Social Security up to a $184,500 wage base and 1.45% Medicare on all wages (plus 0.9% on wages above $200,000 for single filers). Third, it applies your selected state's income tax rules: no tax, a flat rate, or a full graduated bracket schedule. Finally, it applies any local wage tax you enter, computes the net, and divides by the number of pay periods per year.

What counts as "take-home pay"?

Take-home pay — also called net pay — is what actually hits your bank account after all statutory withholdings and voluntary deductions. On a typical U.S. paycheck it equals gross pay minus federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare, state income tax, any local wage tax, and pre-tax deductions like 401(k) and health premiums. Post-tax deductions like Roth 401(k), Roth IRA, garnishments, and union dues also reduce net pay.

Choose a state to see local rules