US Take-Home Pay Calculator 2026

This free take home pay calculator shows exactly how much of your US salary you keep after taxes in 2026. Enter your gross annual salary, choose your filing status and state, and you’ll instantly see your net pay broken down by federal income tax, state income tax, Social Security and Medicare. It’s the fastest way to turn a job offer’s headline number into the figure that actually lands in your bank account.

Why your take-home pay is lower than your salary

When an employer advertises a salary, that’s your gross pay — the amount before any deductions. Your net pay (or take-home pay) is what’s left after the government takes its share. In the US, four main deductions stand between your gross and net pay, and this take home pay calculator accounts for all of them.

The four deductions explained

Federal income tax is charged on a progressive scale: the more you earn, the higher the rate on each additional dollar. For 2026 the rates run from 10% to 37% across seven brackets, applied to your income after the standard deduction ($16,100 for single filers, $32,200 for married couples filing jointly).

State income tax varies enormously. Nine states — including Texas, Florida, Nevada and Washington — charge no income tax at all, so workers there keep more of every paycheck. Others, like California, Oregon and Hawaii, have some of the highest rates in the country. This is often the single biggest reason two people earning the same gross salary take home very different amounts.

Social Security and Medicare (FICA) are payroll taxes deducted from almost every paycheck. Social Security is 6.2% of wages up to an annual cap ($184,500 in 2026), and Medicare is 1.45% with no cap, plus an extra 0.9% on very high earners. Together they fund retirement and healthcare programs.

How to use this calculator to compare jobs and states

The real power of a take home pay calculator is comparison. The same $90,000 salary leaves you with noticeably more money in Texas than in California, purely because of state tax. Before accepting an offer or planning a move, run both scenarios — the net pay difference can be thousands of dollars a year. If you’re researching what different roles pay in the first place, see our full breakdown of the average salary in the USA and individual guides like the registered nurse salary USA.

Is this take home pay calculator accurate?

The federal income tax and FICA calculations use official 2026 IRS figures and are accurate for a standard situation. State income tax is an estimate, because many states use their own progressive brackets, deductions and credits. For an exact figure including local taxes, pre-tax 401(k) contributions or health insurance, consult a tax professional or the IRS.

What’s the difference between gross and net pay?

Gross pay is your total salary before deductions — the number on your job offer. Net pay is what you actually receive after federal tax, state tax and FICA are withheld. This calculator converts one into the other.

Which states have no income tax?

As of 2026, nine states levy no broad personal income tax: Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington and Wyoming. Workers in these states keep more of their salary, though some offset it with higher sales or property taxes.

Does the calculator include 401(k) or health insurance?

No. This take home pay calculator covers taxes only. Pre-tax contributions like a 401(k) or employer health insurance would lower your taxable income and change your final net pay, so your real paycheck may differ slightly.

Want to know what you could be earning in the first place? Explore our full guide to the average salary in the USA, or check the official tax figures at the IRS.