Take-Home Pay Calculator
Calculate your actual take-home pay after federal tax, state tax, Social Security, Medicare, and deductions. See exactly how much of your salary you keep.
Annual Breakdown
Monthly Summary
Where Your Money Goes
See your complete financial picture
Your take-home is $4,278/month. See how it flows through your budget, savings, investments, and more over time.
Try the Full SimulatorHow Take-Home Pay Is Calculated
Your take-home pay is the amount that actually lands in your bank account after all mandatory and voluntary deductions are subtracted from your gross salary. Understanding each deduction helps you make smarter financial decisions about retirement contributions, insurance, and where you choose to live and work.
Understanding Your Tax Deductions
Federal Income Tax
The U.S. uses a progressive federal income tax system with seven brackets ranging from 10% to 37% (2025). Only the income within each bracket is taxed at that rate — so earning more doesn’t mean all your income is taxed at the higher rate. Your filing status (single, married filing jointly, etc.) determines which bracket thresholds apply to you.
State Income Tax
State income tax varies dramatically across the United States. Nine states — Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming — have no state income tax at all. Others use flat rates (like Illinois at 4.95%) or progressive brackets (like California, with rates up to 13.3%).
FICA and Medicare
Social Security (FICA) tax is 6.2% on income up to $176,100 (2025). Medicare tax is 1.45% on all income, plus an additional 0.9% on income above $200,000. Your employer pays a matching amount for both.
Pre-Tax Deductions
Contributions to a traditional 401(k) and health insurance premiums paid through your employer are deducted before taxes are calculated. This means they reduce your taxable income, making each dollar you contribute cost less than a dollar in take-home pay.
Tips to Maximize Your Take-Home Pay
Optimize your W-4 withholding.
If you consistently get a large tax refund, you’re giving the government an interest-free loan. Adjust your W-4 to keep more in each paycheck.
Contribute to pre-tax accounts strategically.
Every dollar in your 401(k) reduces your taxable income. In the 22% bracket, a $500/month contribution only costs you ~$390 in take-home pay.
Use an HSA if eligible.
Health Savings Accounts offer triple tax benefits: pre-tax contributions, tax-free growth, and tax-free withdrawals for medical expenses.
Consider your state’s tax impact.
If you work remotely, living in a no-income-tax state could save you thousands per year. Compare states using our state-specific calculators.
Review your benefits elections annually.
Insurance premiums, FSA contributions, and commuter benefits all affect your take-home pay. Optimize during open enrollment.
See How Your Take-Home Pay Builds Wealth Over Time
This calculator shows your monthly paycheck. Trajectoryy's full simulator shows how that paycheck flows through your entire financial life — savings, investments, loans, retirement, and more — month by month for years into the future.
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