Paycheck Calculator
See a detailed breakdown of your paycheck — gross pay, federal withholding, state tax, Social Security, and Medicare. Supports both hourly and salaried workers.
Understanding your paycheck stub
Your pay stub shows gross pay at the top and a list of deductions below it: federal withholding, state withholding, Social Security, Medicare, and any voluntary deductions (401k, health insurance, etc.). What's left is your net pay — the amount deposited to your account.
Hourly vs. salary
Salaried employees receive a fixed amount per period regardless of hours. Hourly workers are paid for actual hours worked, with overtime (1.5x) typically required after 40 hours per week under federal law.
Pre-tax deductions save money
401(k) contributions, health insurance premiums, and HSA/FSA contributions come out before taxes are calculated. A $500/month 401(k) contribution doesn't reduce your paycheck by $500 — it reduces it by less, because you also save on federal and often state tax.
Sources
- IRS Publication 15 (Employer's Tax Guide, 2026)
- IRS Publication 15-T (Federal Income Tax Withholding Methods)
- State payroll tax rate publications (2026)