Paycheck Calculator
Estimate your take-home pay after federal taxes, FICA, and 401k deductions. Instant, free, no account needed.
Take-Home Per Paycheck
$2,526
vs $3,654 gross
Annual Take-Home
$65,674
69% of gross
Total Deductions
$29,326
31% of gross
Federal income tax estimate only. Excludes state income tax, local taxes, and pre-tax benefit deductions beyond 401k. Actual paycheck may vary.
Understanding Your Paycheck
Most professionals are surprised by the gap between their gross salary and their actual take-home pay. For a $100,000 salary, the typical take-home ranges from $67,000 to $75,000 depending on filing status, state of residence, and pre-tax deductions. Understanding exactly where your money goes gives you more control over your financial planning.
Federal income tax is the largest deduction for most workers, followed by FICA contributions. The good news: pre-tax benefits like 401k contributions, health insurance premiums, and FSA contributions all reduce your taxable income — meaning every dollar you put into these accounts costs you less than a dollar in take-home pay.
FAQ
How is take-home pay calculated?
Take-home pay = Gross salary minus federal income tax, Social Security (6.2%), Medicare (1.45%), state income tax, and pre-tax deductions like 401k and health insurance. This calculator estimates the federal portion — add your state tax rate for a more accurate estimate.
What is the difference between gross and net pay?
Gross pay is your salary before any deductions. Net pay (take-home) is what hits your bank account after taxes and benefits deductions. For most professionals, net pay is 65–75% of gross, depending on filing status and deductions.
How does filing status affect my paycheck?
Married filing jointly generally results in lower withholding than single filers at the same income level, because the tax brackets are wider. The difference can range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars per year.
What is FICA tax?
FICA stands for Federal Insurance Contributions Act and covers Social Security (6.2% on income up to $168,600 in 2026) and Medicare (1.45% on all income). Your employer matches these contributions. If you are self-employed, you pay both sides (15.3%).
How does a 401k contribution affect my paycheck?
Traditional 401k contributions are pre-tax — they reduce your taxable income dollar-for-dollar. Contributing 5% of a $100,000 salary ($5,000) could reduce your federal tax bill by $1,100 (at 22% marginal rate) while only reducing your take-home by $3,900.
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Editorial Standards & Data Methodology
Data Sources
Salary ranges on CareerOS are derived from multiple independent sources:
- •Industry compensation surveys
- •BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- •Public job posting analysis
Our Methodology
Salary figures represent base compensation only and exclude equity, bonuses, and benefits. Ranges show the 25th–75th percentile for full-time employees in each location. Data is weighted toward recent postings (last 12 months). Take-home estimates apply federal income tax, FICA (7.65%), and applicable state taxes.
Editorial Process
All pages are reviewed for accuracy before publication and updated quarterly. We cross-reference data across sources before publishing any salary range.
Last Updated: May 2026
Review Cycle: Quarterly
Disclaimer: For informational purposes only. Actual compensation varies.